Maguindanao massacre Fiscals to end presentation of evidence vs bail pleas

MANILA, Philippines - Prosecutors handling the Maguindanao massacre trial are expected to end this month their presentation of evidence against the bail petitions filed by at least 60 suspects charged for the Nov. 23, 2009 bloodbath.

During court proceedings on Oct. 2, Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 221 Judge Jocelyn Solis-Reyes gave the government and private prosecutors 20 days to file their formal offer of evidence in opposition to the bail petitions of the accused.

She issued the order after the prosecutors said they will no longer present witnesses on the bail petitions filed in connection with the 58th murder case filed for the alleged death of photojournalist Reynaldo Momay.

The prosecutors earlier filed their formal offer of evidence in opposition to the bail petitions of the suspects in the initial 57 counts of murder. The hearings on the 58th case were held later than the rest as it was only filed in September 2012, almost three years after the massacre.

Yesterday, The STAR reported that the petition for bail filed by suspect Inspector Michael Macaraeg on the initial 57 counts of murder was now submitted for resolution.

In an order, Solis-Reyes ruled to admit most of the exhibits included in the prosecution’s formal offer as regards the Macaraeg’s petition.

Even with the submission for resolution, the judge said that the appropriate action on Macaraeg’s bail petition will be held in abeyance pending the prosecution panel’s submission of formal offer of evidence opposing his motion on the 58th murder case.

Once the prosecution submits its formal offer this month on the 58th case, the court is expected to rule on whether or not to admit the exhibit and then resolve the bail petition of the former police officer.

This development is a step forward in a trial that has lasted for over three years. However, the trial is far from over as the prosecution has yet to start presenting its evidence-in-chief against some of the accused, including some members of the Ampatuan clan.

Only after the resolution of the bail petitions can the prosecution start presenting its evidence-in-chief for some of the suspects.