Misuari has money to pay legal team

DAVAO CITY — Detained Muslim leader Nur Misuari definitely has the money to pay for the services of the 25-man legal panel that will defend him in the rebellion case filed against him for the pocket revolts in Jolo, Sulu and Zamboanga City last November.

"Misuari has the money. And my services for him will be for a fee and not for free," said Davao City councilor Vic Advincula, one of the three Davao lawyers recruited to be members of Misuari’s defense team.

The two others are former Mayor Benjamin de Guzman and former Vice Mayor Dominador Zuño.

"I did not volunteer, my services were tapped. But so far, there has been nothing definite yet on the arrangement or whatsoever regarding the panel," Advincula told The STAR.

He said that other than the initial contact made by lawyer Macapanton Abbas, nothing else followed.

"We have not started working yet," he said.

Advincula, however, clarified that he will only be defending Misuari only as far as the rebellion charges are concerned.

"I will do my best in what I could deliver with regards to the rebellion charges but it would have nothing to do with his political stand," he said.

Abbas earlier said Misuari might dismiss his 25-member defense team should the courts decide that his trial be held in Sta. Rosa, Laguna rather than in Jolo where the rebellion case was filed. — Edith Regalado