Zaldy’s lawyers asked to release names of defense witnesses

MANILA, Philippines - A private prosecutor in the Maguindanao massacre trial has asked the lawyers of former Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao governor Zaldy Ampatuan to give them a list of defense witnesses who will be presented starting Sept. 3.

In a three-page manifestation filed Friday, lawyer Nena Santos said the defense lawyers previously asked them for the names of witnesses and copies of documents that will be identified by the witnesses.

Santos, the lawyer of Maguindanao Gov. Esmael Mangudadatu, said that it is rightfully expected that the same consideration be given to the prosecution now that the defense will start presenting evidence in Ampatuan’s bail petition.

The manifestation, which was sent to the court, was also addressed to the Heffron Esguerra Dy & De Jesus (HEDJ) law office, which took over Ampatuan’s case in June.

The former governor’s previous lead counsels – the Fortun Narvasa & Salazar (FNS) law firm – withdrew from the case without stating the reason. They also withdrew as lawyers of Ampatuan’s father Andal Sr. and brother Andal Jr. earlier this month.

During the hearing last week at the Quezon City Jail-Annex in Camp Bagong Diwa, Regional Trial Court Branch 221 Judge Jocelyn Solis-Reyes ordered the HEDJ law office to prepare for its turn in presenting evidence.

Lawyer Andre de Jesus, who attended the hearing, initially asked the court to give them 30 days to prepare for their turn in the hearings. The judge, however, declined the 30-day request and set the next hearing on Sept. 3.

De Jesus, following the hearing, told The STAR they will abide with the order of the court and would not want to make the impression that they are delaying the case.

Defense lawyers are not usually required to present evidence in bail petitions. Solis-Reyes, however, earlier allowed the FNS – then representing Andal Sr., Andal Jr. and Zaldy – to refute the evidence of the prosecution in the bail as these will also be adopted in the evidence-in-chief.

But since Andal Sr. and Andal Jr. still do not have new lawyers, only Zaldy will be able to present witnesses.

Fifty-eight people, including 32 media practitioners, died in what was dubbed as the single most deadly event in history for journalists.

A total of 197 suspects were initially charged for the Nov. 23, 2009 massacre, but only 110 have been arrested.