Zaldy A. gets new lawyers

MANILA, Philippines - New lawyers will handle the multiple murder case filed against former Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) governor Zaldy Ampatuan in connection with the Maguindanao massacre trial.

The Heffron Esguerra Dy & De Jesus law office filed its two-page manifestation yesterday afternoon, less than a week after the law firm of Sigfrid Fortun and Gregorio Narvasa II withdrew as counsel of the former governor.

The entry of appearance was signed by lawyers James Keith Heffron, Andre de Jesus and Kristine Esguerra.

Esguerra also went to the Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 221 yesterday to inquire about documents involving the case. She declined a request for interview by The STAR, but said she will send a statement regarding the matter.

The statement has yet to be received as of press time.  

In a two-page withdrawal of appearance Thursday, the Fortun Narvasa & Salazar (FNS) law firm asked the court handling the case to directly furnish Ampatuan with copies of documents in his detention facility in Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City.

The withdrawal of appearance was signed by Narvasa and lawyer Albert Lee Angeles, as well as Ampatuan, who gave his conformity on the matter. No reason was stated on why the firm decided to withdraw its appearance for the former governor.

The STAR tried to contact Fortun, but he has yet to respond to inquiries. Despite the withdrawal as counsel for Ampatuan, FNS remains the lead counsel of his brother Andal Jr. and their father Andal Sr.

Based on records, FNS entered its appearance as lead counsel for Ampatuan in April 2012, almost a year after the former governor reportedly offered to become a state witness. Reports said the Department of Justice has rejected the offer.

Prior to FNS, the firm of lawyer Firdausi Abbas was the lead counsel of Ampatuan until August 2011. Lawyer Redemberto Villanueva took over in September that year and withdrew as lead counsel in February 2012.

Abbas and Villanueva remain as collaborating counsels for Ampatuan. Also remaining as collaborating counsels for the former governor are lawyers Eldrige Marvin Aceron and Marcial Ferrer Lopez.

Fifty-eight people, including 32 media practitioners, died in the Nov. 23, 2009 massacre.