SC grants Vizconde appeal more time

The Supreme Court granted the request of the Court of Appeals for more time to review the pending motions for recommendations of those convicted for the high-profile 1991 Vizconde massacre.

Last year, the Court of Appeals affirmed the decision of the Parañaque City Regional Trial Court sentencing Hubert Webb, Antonio Lejano, Michael Gatchalian, Hospicio Fernandez, Peter Estrada, and Miguel Rodriguez to life imprisonment.

Webb, son of former senator Freddie Webb, and his alleged cohorts purportedly conspired and raped and murdered Carmela Vizconde in her Parañaque City home. Her mother, Estrellita, and younger sister, Jennifer, were also killed. The killings helped sparked outrage that eventually led to the restoration of the death penalty in 1994.

Capital punishment was abolished earlier this year following a persistent public debate over its effectiveness against crime.

The CA also upheld the findings of the same court finding former police officer Gerardo Biong guilty as an accessory for trying to destroy evidence at the crime scene. His prison sentence was reduced from 12 years to six years.

In a one-page resolution, the Supreme Court en banc granted the request of CA associate justice Rodrigo Cosico for 180 days or until April 12 next year to resolve the defense appeal.

Former senator Webb said that they welcomed the decision of the Supreme Court, saying that it is a good sign that the appellate court is reviewing the case as there might be something that is worth taking a second look at.

But he also appealed the CA for a speedy resolution of the motions for reconsideration.

"Without the intention of hurting the feelings of the members of the Court of Appeals, we are hoping and praying that the review could be done in the soonest time possible. My son has been in jail for 11 and half years and 180 days is six more months. Every day that my son is suffering in jail is injustice for someone we believe is innocent," he said.