SC firm: No live coverage of Maguindanao massacre trial

MANILA, Philippines - The Supreme Court (SC) has affirmed its ruling in 2012 disallowing the live media coverage of the Maguindanao massacre trial.

In their first session this year last Tuesday, the justices decided to deny with finality three petitions seeking to allow the live coverage of the multiple murder case against the Ampatuan clan.

The high court held that the motions for reconsideration filed by Editha Mirandilla-Tiamzon and Glenna Legarta, widows of two of the 58 victims in the carnage; the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines; and the Palace, through the Office of the Solicitor General, lacked merit to warrant the reversal of its earlier decision.

SC spokesman Theodore Te said the high tribunal again cited “the lack of uniformity in rule or practice in other jurisdictions in relation to allowing cameras in the court room” as basis for the latest administrative ruling.

“The (SC) considered the practical aspects of broadcasted criminal trial proceedings in foreign jurisdictions, finding that most countries still do not allow cameras in their courtrooms,” he told reporters.

Te said the SC also reiterated “the need to protect the rights of the parties and the dignity of the courts as well as ensure the orderly conduct of the proceedings.”

The SC initially granted the request of the petitioners in 2011. At that time, it allowed the live coverage of the trial subject to certain restrictions, including the requirement that the broadcast of the court proceedings would be from start to finish and without breaks.

The SC had also barred journalists from providing annotations while the hearing was ongoing. 

But in 2012, the SC granted the motion for reconsideration of principal accused Andal Ampatuan Jr, who argued that the live media coverage would violate his right to due process. 

The SC then made the commitment to install closed-circuit viewing areas outside the courtroom – similar to those set up during oral arguments. 

It allowed audio-visual recordings, but only for documentary purposes.

Not out yet

Meanwhile, former Maguindanao officer-in-charge Sajid Islam Ampatuan will not be allowed to post the P11.6 million bail set by the court pending the resolution of the motion for reconsideration filed by the prosecution panel.

In a text message to The STAR, private prosecutor Nena Santos said the Quezon City court handling the trial ruled against allowing Sajid Islam to post bail while there is a pending appeal.

Quinsayas said lawyers of Sajid Islam were ordered to comment on the motion for reconsideration yesterday, while prosecutors were given until Jan. 19 to reply. – With Janvic Mateo