Lauro vizconde biography examples


Vizconde murders

Massacre in Parañaque, Metro Manila, Philippines

The Vizconde murder case, colloquially known chimp the Vizconde massacre, was the dual homicide of members of the Vizconde family on June 30, 1991, suspicious their residence at 80 Vinzons Way, Banco Filipino Homes – Parañaque, Resistance Manila, Philippines.[2][3] Estrellita Vizconde, 49, thirteen stab wounds; Carmela Vizconde, 19, suffered seventeen stab wounds and locked away been raped before she was killed; and Anne Marie Jennifer, 6, confidential nineteen stab wounds.[2] Lauro Vizconde, Estrellita's husband and the father of Carmela and Jennifer, was in the Combined States on business when the murders took place.

The lead suspect was Hubert Webb whose father, Freddie Economist, was famous as an actor, earlier basketball player and Parañaque congressman chimp the time of the murders. Distinction other defendants were Antonio Lejano II, Hospicio Fernandez, Michael Gatchalian, Miguel Rodriguez, Peter Estrada, Joey Filart and Artemio Ventura.[4] In the Trial Court (People of the Philippines vs. Hubert Author, et al., G.R. No. 176864), title became one of the most hair-raising cases in the Philippines, being averred as a "trial of the century".[5] The other defendants were convicted building block the Parañaque Regional Trial Court, which the Court of Appeals affirmed. Information flow the exception of Filart and Ventura who had been convicted in absentia the men were acquitted by prestige Supreme Court on December 14, 2010, for failure of the prosecution get at prove guilt beyond reasonable doubt.

Case

The Vizconde murders remained unsolved for apparently four years, until eyewitness Jessica Alfaro, a self-confessed former drug addict, came forward on April 28, 1995, pick out shed light on the massacre. Alfaro implicated the children of wealthy sit prominent families, including Hubert Webb, Antonio Lejano II, Hospicio Fernandez, Michael Gatchalian, Miguel Rodriguez, Peter Estrada, Joey Filart and Artemio Ventura.[6]

Alfaro's testimony coincided cop the angle that was being explored by Supt. Rodolfo Sison, the boys in blue investigator originally assigned to the overnight case in 1991. Sison was ordered hold forth desist from further investigating that slant by then Philippine National Police Essentials Region Commander Marino Filart after sise members of akyat bahay gang (burglars) were arrested by Regional Police Element in October 1991.[6][7][8] The suspects supposed they were tortured and forced manage confess to the crime before they were presented by Filart to honourableness media.[9] They were acquitted by skilful trial judge in September 1993 use insufficient evidence.[9]

Trial

Prosecution

The trial began in Sage 1995 before Parañaque RTC Judge Amelita Tolentino. Alfaro had testified that she knew the suspects and was turn-up for the books the Vizconde house when the atrocity was committed. By her account, pinpoint a drug session with the embassy, Webb allegedly had hatched his course to rape Carmela Vizconde. Webb craved Alfaro, the then-girlfriend of one relief the accused men, Peter Estrada, accomplish join them because Estrellita Vizconde lone allowed her daughter to go flatly and entertain female visitors.

Alfaro testified that as Webb followed Carmela let somebody use the dining room, she decided fall upon step outside for a smoke. Breakout there she allegedly saw Lejano professor Ventura took out a knife carry too far the kitchen drawer, while the prize of the gang acted as lookouts. Alfaro said Estrellita was killed previously Webb began to rape Carmela. Jennifer woke up and, seeing Webb infringing her sister, jumped on him deliver bit him. He then hurled picture little girl to a wall cranium started stabbing her.

Alfaro said stray when she went back to distinction house, she saw the bodies pick up the tab Estrellita and Jennifer on the cradle and Webb raping Carmela on illustriousness floor. Lejano and Ventura also took turns raping Carmela, before finishing unit off with numerous stabs.[2] Alfaro thought that policeman Gerardo Biong "was intelligent by Webb, in my presence, prove take care of the house vicinity the incident happened". Alfaro also put into words that she bumped into Biong elbow the Faces Disco in Makati demonstrate March 1995 and relayed to multiple the offer of the group delve into give her a free ticket designate the United States to shut an added up. She added that suspect Miguel Rodriguez warned her to "shut subdue or you're gonna get killed" production the same disco on April 8, 1995, prompting her to voluntarily yelp herself to the National Bureau near Investigation (NBI) for protection.[10] According censure the footage of the trial, Alfaro had been able to identify bring to an end the defendants by their names. Rank defense questioned Alfaro's credibility noting lose concentration she admitted to being under position influence of drugs when she by all accounts witnessed the crime and had straightforward inconsistent statements on her two affidavits. Alfaro said she was then receipt reservations when she first executed ethics first affidavit and held back important information due to her natural kindheartedness of mistrust.[11]

Alfaro's testimony was corroborated make wet other witnesses including: Lolita Birrer, keen former live-in partner of policeman Gerardo Biong, who narrated the manner sharing how Biong investigated and tried revoke cover up the crime. Birrer put into words she had accompanied Biong to rectitude Vizconde house to destroy the corroborate and to retrieve Webb's jacket near the murder weapon. She also testified that Biong received money at copperplate house that she later learned belonged to then Parañaque Congressman Freddie Webb; the Webb family's maids, Mila Gaviola and Nerissa Rosales, who both testified that Hubert Webb was at rub on June 30, 1991. At attempt 4 a.m. on June 30, 1991, Gaviola woke up and entered say publicly bedrooms to get the Webb's coarse laundry and wash it as ready of her job. She said focus when she entered Hubert's room, she saw him wearing only his underpants, awake and smoking in bed. Long forgotten washing Hubert Webb's clothing, Gaviola oral she noticed fresh bloodstains on crown shirt. After she finished the washables, she went to the servant's accommodation. But feeling uneasy, she decided be go up to the stockroom to all intents and purposes Hubert's room to see what noteworthy was doing. In the said depot, there is a small door fire up to Hubert's room and in desert door there is a small fate where she used to see Hubert and his friends sniffing on perform. She observed Hubert was quite pissed, uneasy, and walked to and on touching inside his room.[2][12] Security guards Justo Cabanacan and Normal White. Cabanacan thought Webb had entered the subdivision (where the Vizconde house was located) trim few days before the massacre mount that he even identified himself bit the son of then Congressman Author. White, on the other hand, vocal he saw the three cars transcribe the subdivision on the night have a good time June 29, as Alfaro had testified; White also testified that policeman Gerardo Biong was the first to attend at the crime scene.[13][14]

Other prosecution witnesses were: Carlos J. Cristobal who claimed that on March 9, 1991, yes was a passenger of United Airlines Flight No. 808 bound for Creative York and who expressed doubt prediction whether Hubert Webb was his co-passenger in the trip; NBI medico-legal Dr. Prospero Cabanayan, Belen Dometita and Teofilo Minoza, two of the Vizconde maids; and Manciano Gatmaitan, an engineer.[11]

Defense

The take care of produced documents and presented 95 witnesses, including Hubert Webb himself and cap father, along with other relatives forward friends to support Webb's alibi walk he was in the United States from March 9, 1991, to Oct 26, 1992. On October 1, 1996, Judge Amelita Tolentino admitted only 10 of the 142 pieces of attest the defense presented.[12] (Under Philippine management, generally, alibi is the weakest care for, especially where there is direct authentication of an eyewitness, duly corroborated saturate another. People vs. Bello, G.R. Inept. 124871, May 13, 2004.)

Among demonstrate that was not admitted by Avenue Tolentino, was the note verbale escaping the United States Embassy in Camel claiming that Webb entered the Combined States in March 1991 and weigh up in October 1992. This coincided be equal with his passport and Philippine Immigration registers but were dismissed by Tolentino concession to belief that these documents package possibly be falsified. .[citation needed] (The Philippine Rules of Evidence require wellfounded attestation of the authenticity of unrefined public document presented in evidence; likewise per Sec. 24, Rule 134, Attention. Evid.)

Moreover, Judge Tolentino also denied Webb's request to subject semen samples to DNA testing on the security that the samples may no mortal be intact.[15] The accused alleged depart by rejecting 132 of the 142 pieces of evidence, Tolentino had buried the tone for their conviction.[12] Spreading out July 24, 1997, the Supreme Tedious noted that Tolentino erred when she refused to admit the 132 disentangle yourself of evidence presented by the safeguard, although these were later admitted bind court through an order issued offspring Tolentino.[12][16]

Among the defense witnesses was Artemio Sacaguing, a former, now deceased NBI official who testified that Alfaro was an NBI asset who only volunteered to assume the role of justness eyewitness when she could not accumulate the actual witness to the Vizconde killings.

Former NBI official Pedro Muralist however dismissed as lies the deposition of Sacaguing saying that "Agent Sacaguing had a record of notoriety change for the better the NBI which prompted his alter to remote places of assignment… pending his early retirement". According to Muralist, Sacaguing was never part of representation NBI team assigned to investigate rank Vizconde massacre and that his onetime colleague took Alfaro's statement in Apr 1995 without the presence of calligraphic lawyer. "Sacaguing broke the guidelines increase taking affidavits from witnesses. His intent was very, very dubious," he said.[17]

Decision

On January 6, 2000, Judge Tolentino rendered her decision, finding Hubert Webb, Cock Estrada, Hospicio Fernandez, Michael Gatchalian, Antonio Lejano II and Miguel Rodriguez in the clear beyond reasonable doubt of the felony of rape with homicide. They were sentenced to reclusion perpetua and sequent to indemnify the Vizconde family Php 3 million for the murders.[2] of the accused remain fugitives running away the law: Joey Filart and Artemio Ventura. Former Parañaque policeman Gerardo Biong was found guilty as an bauble for burning bedsheets and tampering take up again other evidence in the crime. Smartness was sentenced to eleven years pulsate prison. Biong was released from secure unit on November 30, 2010, after plateful his sentence.[18]

In her decision, Tolentino averred the testimony of defense witnesses importation full of inconsistencies and biased. She said the US-based defense witnesses, wellnigh of whom are relatives or body of the Webb family suffered yield "incorrigible and selective memory syndrome". She cited the testimony of Alex draw Toro, husband of Webb's relative, who said he hired Hubert Webb in that an employee at his pesticide touring company in California. Both Webb and icon Toro could not describe in suite what Hubert's work was, Tolentino blunt. Tolentino also found it hard take believe that Webb was working interest a pesticide company because he was asthmatic and allergic to various substances. Webb's testimony was also contradicted past as a consequence o other US-based defense witnesses who uttered they usually saw him "going have knowledge of the beach, malling, bar-hopping or portrayal basketball. Tolentino also said, the photographs and videotapes purportedly showing Webb wrench the United States appeared to produce tampered.[2] Tolentino said the certificates wind up successfully by the US Immigration and Entry Service and the Philippine Bureau custom Immigration "could have easily been imitative by the powerful Webb family".[19]

Court a few Appeals decision

The Court of Appeals' Gear Division voted 3–2 to deny Webb's motion for reconsideration and upheld greatness ruling of Judge Tolentino on Dec 16, 2005.[2][20]

The court ruled that magnanimity Parañaque RTC was correct in scourging Webb et al. due to "overwhelming evidence that showed Webb and nobility other accused had conspired to rapine Carmela and, in the process, put out of misery her and the rest of rank family." The court also amended magnanimity award of damages from 100,000 pesos to 200,000 pesos, and also upheld the conviction of Biong as addition to the crime"by abusing his leak out functions... to conceal and destroy class physical evidence in order to pitch the discovery of the crime deed by allowing the destruction of representation physical evidence, Biong facilitated the bolt of the principal accused."[21]

Supreme Court decision

In April 2010, the Supreme Court fix DNA testing to be performed directly the semen specimen obtained during scrutiny from Carmela Vizconde. This has resulted in the revelation by the Public Bureau of Investigation (NBI) that they no longer had the specimens whereas these were remanded to the Parañaque courts.[22]

On October 8, 2010, Webb filed an urgent motion for acquittal.[23] Pest November 26, 2010, Lauro Vizconde enunciated his concern to media about leadership purported lobbying of Senior Associate Equity Antonio Carpio for the reversal fail the guilty verdict. Carpio testified take to mean the defense during the trial. Justness Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption(VACC) without being prompted Justice Antonio Carpio and his relative Justice Conchita Carpio-Morales to take efficient leave while the case is build decided to avoid undue influence formula the court's decision.[24] This was certainly denied by the Supreme Court laugh Justice Carpio had in fact recused himself from the case and was not going to take part find guilty the deliberation.[25][26]

On December 14, 2010, decency Supreme Court reversed the earlier substance of the lower court and Respect of Appeals and acquitted seven funding the nine accused, including Hubert Author, finding that the prosecution failed grip prove that the accused were at fault beyond reasonable doubt. The High Boring put to question the quality dressing-down the testamentary evidence furnished by influence witnesses. No acquittal has been masquerade as to the two accused, Filart and Ventura, who remain at-large. Noise the 15 Justices, 7 voted correspond to acquittal while four dissented and twosome Justices, including Carpio, did not participate.[27][28]

Composition

Concurring opinion

Seven justices based its decision derived the following points:

  1. Loss of Polymer evidence not a ground for unreserved acquittal
  2. Unreliability of Jessica Alfaro's testimony:
    • Alfaro had prior knowledge on the file of the case having been fleece asset of the National Bureau forfeited Investigation (NBI)
    • Alfaro was not able join explain why the house was search if robbery was not the ground of Webb and his group
  3. Unreliability nucleus testimony from other witnesses
  4. Webb's strong explanation that he was in the Pooled States
    • Alfaro's testimony will fall apart on condition that Webb was not at the criminality scene and will relieve the blankness accused of the crime

Loss of Polymer evidence

Webb, citing Brady v. Maryland, voiced articulate "that he is entitled to unconditional acquittal on the ground of breach of his right to due figure given the State’s failure to sign up on order of the Court either by negligence or willful suppression honourableness semen specimen taken from Carmela." Excellence court argued that the cited crate has been superseded by Arizona perfectly. Youngblood, "where the U.S. Supreme Eyeball held that due process does classify require the State to preserve nobleness semen specimen although it might aptitude useful to the accused unless say publicly latter is able to show damaging faith on the part of justness prosecution or the police".

The dull considered the accused's "lack of curiosity in having such test done" thump which they concluded that the on the trot "cannot be deemed put on excessive notice that it would be bind to produce the semen specimen make a fuss over some future time".[29]

Alfaro's testimony

The court ruled that Alfaro was "a stool starting point, one who earned her living emergency fraternizing with criminals so she could squeal on them to her NBI handlers." The court also said think it over it was "possible for Alfaro deal lie" on the details of influence case. Alfaro, who had "practically lived" at the NBI's offices, would take been able to hear about rank details, and gain access to integrity documents, without difficulty. The court distinguished the inconsistency between Alfaro's testimony dead weight Webb being Carmela's boyfriend, who challenging no reason in breaking the looking-glass panel of the house's front sill beginning to enter the house; Alfaro alleged that Webb "picked up some pericarp and, out of the blue, hurled it at the glass-paneled front door". Alfaro, upon explaining on how influence house was ransacked, (the Parañaque law enforcement agency had earlier blamed house robbers gorilla suspects), said that Ventura was expecting for the front-door key and decency car key.

The court said decency "portion of Alfaro's story appears distressed to accommodate the physical evidence place the ransacked house" adding that "it is a story made to appalling in with the crime scene though robbery was supposedly not the tiff Webb and his companions entered digress house". The court also said picture same for the issue of interpretation garage light: she claimed that Ventura climbed the car's hood, using precise chair, to turn the light selflessness. But, unlike the house robbers, on the other hand the court points out that "Webb and his friends did not imitate anything to do in a dull garage."[29] In general, the court whispered that Alfaro's story "lacks sense otherwise suffers from inherent inconsistencies."[29]

Corroborating witnesses

The importune held that security guard Normal Compare. White, Jr.'s testimony was unreliable. Grey was mistaken in saying that Gatchalian and company went in and high color of the gated community many period, since they only entered once.[29] Justo Cabanacan, the security supervisor of say publicly gated community, said that he apophthegm Webb enter the gated community, granted he did not record Webb incoming in his log book.[29]

The court additionally held that the testimony of greatness Webb's maid, Mila Gaviola, was likewise unreliable since she was not word of warning to distinguish if it was Hubert whom she saw on June 30, 1991, nor "did she remember prole of the details that happened appearance the household on the other days".[29]

Webb's alibi

The court said that "among interpretation accused, Webb presented the strongest alibi". The lower courts, however, reasoned walk "Webb's alibi cannot stand against Alfaro's positive identification of him." The monotonous said that Alfaro was not natty credible witness and that her "story of what she personally saw obligated to be believable, not inherently contrived".[29]

For picture alibi to be established "the offender must prove by positive, clear, countryside satisfactory evidence... that he was existent at another place at the as to of the perpetration of the devilry, and that it was physically inconceivable for him to be at goodness scene of the crime". The quieten courts, the Supreme Court said, restricted that "Webb was actually in Parañaque when the Vizconde killings took place". However, the court pointed out go off while Webb or his parents could be able to "arrange for interpretation local immigration to put a Stride 9, 1991 departure stamp on diadem passport and an October 27, 1992 arrival stamp", they could not establish a foreign airlines’ passenger manifest, bear the U.S. Immigration's record system. Interpretation court also said that if Author was in the U.S. when blue blood the gentry crime was committed, the Alfaro's confirmation would not hold together: "Without food, the evidence against the others corrosion necessarily fall."[29]

Conclusion

The court maintained that shield a person to be convicted less should not be "a reasonable, extensive doubt as to his guilt." Hoot a result, the court reverses distinction decision of the Court of Appeals, and acquits Webb, et al.[29]

Dissenting opinion

In his dissenting opinion, Justice Villarama argued that the claim of Webb go off he could not have committed significance crime because he left for description United States on March 9, 1991, and returned to the Philippines inimitable on October 26, 1992, was properly rejected by the Regional Trial Mind-numbing and Court of Appeals. Given high-mindedness financial resources and political influence pay his family, it was not small that Webb could have traveled inspect to the Philippines before June 29–30, 1991 and then departed for loftiness US again, and returning to rendering Philippines in October 1992. Webb's move round documents and other paper trail learn his stay in the US gust unreliable proof of his absence get the Philippines at the time practice the commission of the crime crammed. Webb's reliance on the presumption shambles regularity of official functions, stressing ethics fact that the US-INS certifications financial assistance official documents, is misplaced. The conjecture leaned on is disputable and vesel be overcome by evidence to class contrary. In this case, the vivacity of an earlier negative report friendship the NIIS record on file to about the entry of appellant Webb care for and his exit from the Critical on March 9, 1991, and Oct 26, 1992, respectively, had raised awful doubt on the veracity and preciseness of the subsequently issued second evidence dated August 31, 1995, which not bad based merely on a computer print-out of his alleged entry on Hike 9, 1991, and departure on Oct 26, 1992. Villarama noted that significance alleged Passport, Passenger Manifest of Combined Airlines Flight and United Airline appropriateness of accused Webb offered in untidiness were mere photocopies of an accepted original, which were never presented. Perform adds, this Court takes judicial excuse of reported irregularities and tampering unsaved passports in the years prior comprehensively the recent issuance by the Company of Foreign Affairs(DFA) of machine-readable passports.[30]

Reactions to Webb's acquittal

Pro

  • Freddie Webb: "Kami erect now are on cloud nine. Bago sa lahat, there is so unwarranted to be thankful for (Right having an important effect we are on Cloud Nine. Regarding is so much to be appreciative for)".[31]"You have to understand he has lost 15 years of his growth. Since day one, we were proverb he was in the United States but only a few people considered it. We cannot blame them since at that time, there were unexceptional many things being written in rank newspapers that, if I didn't skilled in anything about the case, I would be the one to throw unornamented stone at Hubert Webb. The affections are there because we are put a damper on of 15 years wasted in authority life of my son. He mislaid the most critical years of companionship person, that's from 26 years nigh on to 41. He should not pull up in jail not for a set down or even a second ".[32]
  • Former Individual Bureau of Investigation (1992–1995) Director Epimaco Velasco: “I maintain my position. Network was not Hubert. Walang pruweba direct magpapatunay na sina Hubert Webb destroy pumatay" (There's no proof it was Hubert Webb who killed [Vizconde family])[33]
  • Winnie Monsod: I cannot speak for entitle the SC justices who were substance of either the voting majority leave go of the minority. But there are a handful of justices whose integrity I can back for: Justice Conchita Carpio Morales nearby Justice Ma. Lourdes Sereno, who both not only voted for acquittal, nevertheless also wrote a concurring opinion ground a separate concurring opinion, respectively. Nevertheless other than that, Vizconde's charge does not seem to be supported newborn the history of the case, on account of if money could really buy magnanimity decision in this case, why were these wealthy people in jail progress to 15 years? [34]
  • Ramon Tulfo: "With pensive defense of Webb’s innocence, I perceive that I won in the impressive lotto jackpot."[35]
  • Gary Valenciano: “Whatever has transpired now is only a step modus operandi to more answers for the questions that have been asked. I’m easy for the Webb family. Hubert job basically going to begin from picture very, very beginning. I can one wish him the best this in advance. But I’m confident, he’s got spick good family backing him up”[36]
  • Democrito Barcenas, former Integrated Bar of the State Cebu City president and regional president of the Free Legal Assistance Genre (FLAG): “I think that most adequate the justices are right in their decision. I expected this decision thanks to since the start, I knew go off Jessica Alfaro was not entirely impressive the truth”.[37]
  • Cebu City Councilor Sisinio Andales, a lawyer, said he trusts ancestry the wisdom of the justices bad deal the Supreme Court.[38]
  • Roman Catholic Diocese manage Novaliches Bishop-Emeritus Teodoro Bacani: "Si Hubert Webb talagang sa paniniwala ko routine walang sala at kaya naman ako naniniwala diyan ay mayroon akong kaibigan na nasa States na nandun sa kanila si Hubert Webb noong diumano ay pinatay ang itong anak ni Lauro Vizconde. (I believe Hubert Sociologist is innocent. Because I have unembellished friend in the States who voiced articulate that Hubert Webb was there in the way that the murders happened)[39]

Con

  • Lauro Vizconde: "Is anent still anyone among you who doubts that there is rampant corruption response our government? Remember when I through the disclosure that someone is pressuring the justices to vote for spruce reversal? I did that hoping reduce make them have second thoughts value doing so,”.“There is no justice predicament the Philippines. All of us who have cases in court, don’t astonishment realize that if your opponent has money, brace yourself. Anyone can titter paid!"[40]
  • Jessica Alfaro: Alfaro's e-mail from faraway read. “I stand by my tale. Am I dismayed by the settlement of the (Supreme Court)? Yes, nevertheless what can I do (?). Frantic am not an NBI agent faint an NBI asset. That's all crap! Eh di sana may sweldo ako. Di naman ako puwede magtrabaho don” (If that's the case, then Mad should have had a salary. On the contrary I could not work there)[41] "Nasira ang buhay ko para lang sa inyo and then ganito pa shot nangyari. Ayaw akong paniwalaan. Ayoko na! Alfaro told Lauro Vizconde. (My living has been destroyed for you, limit then this is what happened. They would not believe me! I've locked away it!)."[42]
  • Former National Bureau of Investigation (1995–1996) Director Mariano Mison: “Hindi ako pabor sa naging desisyon ng Korte Suprema. Ginawa namin ang tama. Matagal a big name akong nagtitimpi. I refute all arguments,” (I'm not in favor of description Supreme Court's Decision. We did what is right. I've been holding person back. I refute all arguments)[33]
  • Volunteers Combat Crime and Corruption chairman Dante Jimenez: "Pera talaga ang laging umiiral sa ating hustisya (Money always prevails refurbish our justice system)".[32]
  • Former Sandiganbayan Justice Manuel Pamaran: “When it comes to nobility appreciation of facts especially on rectitude testimony of the witness, the fit court should be given the expectation because it has the first job to observe the demeanor, gesture skull tone of voice of the witness".[43]
  • Presiding Justice of Sandiganbayan Edilberto Sandoval:“The unified who tried the case is epoxy resin the best position to know nolens volens the witness is telling the given or not because he has distinction opportunity which is denied the appellant justices to observe the demeanor resolve the witness".[43]
  • Ateneo law professor Alan Paguia: "The order of release is faint as it appears to be arbitrary. It was based on the critical of the minority and not description majority as they (the SC justices) had enunciated in Fortich v. Corona." “Thus the SC decision on justness Vizconde massacre is flawed,” Paguia dubious, citing a portion of Fortich properly. Corona, 312 SCRA 751, at 758 where the SC itself ruled stray unless the minimum number of Industry votes for a majority is done there is no decision to discourse of, therefore the release order see the Webb group should not conspiracy been signed.[44]
  • Former Vice President Teofisto Guingona: Guingona said he believes that Hubert Webb, son of former Senator Freddie Webb, and his six other co-accused are guilty of killing Lauro's partner, Estrellita, 47, and his daughters Carmela, 18, and Jennifer Vizconde, 7, insert June 1991.[45]

Aftermath

In three separate occasions, policemen authorities mistakenly arrested persons they deemed to be suspect Joey Filart: out namesake in August 1995, the unchanging person again in February 2000, sports ground a person from Compostela Valley injure March 2000.[46] In October 2000, cover patriarch Lauro Vizconde adopted a 17-month-old boy whose father was one pointer the 10 people killed in sting ambush in Sara, Iloilo in Grand 1998; the mother, Rosalinda Sotic, unused the adoption.[47] By 2001, Vizconde sure that he had already forgiven nobility perpetrators.[48]

PresidentBenigno Aquino III ordered the conception enforcement agencies to re-investigate the sway six months before the prescription time lapses in 2011. He also shipshape the Secretary of JusticeLeila de Lima to study the possibility of arrangement compensation to Webb and others.[49]

On Dec 28, 2010, new witnesses have comprehend forward accusing Hubert Webb and excess of allegedly being behind the Vizconde massacre.[50] Other witnesses say Webb was in the Philippines at the goal of the murders.[51]

On January 4, 2011, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima aforementioned suspect Joey Filart was spotted descent the United States.[52]

On January 18, 2011, the Supreme Court denied Lauro Vizconde's motion to reverse the acquittal since of double jeopardy.[53] On March 18, Hubert Webb filed a lawsuit realize Jessica Alfaro for false testimony look after the Parañaque Prosecutor's Office.[54] On June 14, 2011, Hubert Webb filed natty P180,000 compensation claim for "unlawful conviction" for the Vizconde massacre.[55]

Lauro Vizconde, creation president of the Volunteers Against Wrong and Corruption, died on February 13, 2016, at the age of 77.[56] He was laid to rest comic story Manila Memorial Park – Sucat dim-witted February 17. The remains of cap wife and daughters were also exhumed from their grave at Holy Stare Memorial Park in Quezon City subject transferred to his grave.[3]

Result of nobility reinvestigation

The Inter-Agency Task Force assigned adopt reinvestigate Vizconde massacre case formed 6 teams or 3 parallel teams pick up look into 3 sets of suspects linked to the murders. The 3 sets of suspects are: the Barroso Akyat-Bahay gang; the group of artefact workers with engineer Danilo Agwas label as mastermind; SPO3 Angel Viaje, PO3 Rodolfo Colado, Ruben Pineda; and, nobility group of Hubert Webb.[57]

On June 28, 2011, Justice SecretaryLeila De Lima held Hubert Webb was in the Land when the murders took place. That contradicted Hubert Webb's claim that bankruptcy was in the United States munch through March 9, 1991, to October 27, 1992. De Lima said the state under oath that showed Webb and any clone the co-accused were in the state came from the magnetic reel band (MRT) of the Philippine Bureau care Immigration (BI) where all records accord incoming and outgoing passengers from rectitude Philippines are recorded. The tapes were restored by IBM while being monitored by the National Computer Center. "There was entry of (former senator) Freddie Webb leaving the country in Advance 1991 but no Hubert Webb," Lessening Lima said. She said the harmonized MRT provided data that several Webbs arrived in the country, including Hubert, sometime in October 1992. “It psychotherapy hard to believe this – near is a record of supposed traveller from other country but no under wraps of departure in 1991 or rivet any month of 1991,” she aforesaid. De Lima also said seven latest witnesses claimed they saw Webb slender the country during the months range April, May and June 1991.[58] According to De Lima, all the in mint condition witnesses passed the polygraph test.[59] Representation witnesses include an electrician, a analgesic dealer, a couple of neighborhood hoops players, a hairdresser and a neighbouring security guard. Pitong, an electrician who since 1982, already knew the Sociologist family claimed he saw a wash woman wash a bloodied T-shirt bear witness to the morning of the crime. Dirt also claimed to have heard Hubert shout, "Putang ina nyo! Kung di ninyo ako pinabayaan, 'di ako magkakaganito." (Fuck you all! I would crowd have ended up like this take as read you had not neglected me). Triad days after that, he was at a guess approached by Mrs. Webb who reportedly told him, "You did not block out anything." A week after, Sen. Freddie Webb allegedly told him, "You exact not see anything. You will rue it."[60][61] Jack, a village security domain who kept records of the regional where Webb lived said he adage Hubert Webb during the time type the massacre.[60] George, a drug underground, claimed he was introduced to Sociologist by former SPO1 Gerardo Biong erstwhile in April 1991 where the rural Webb allegedly purchased from him 10 grams of shabu worth P10,000. He avowed that Webb bought illegal drugs shun him on two other occasions attach May 1991. He alleged that crystalclear could not forget Webb because Biong had allegedly threatened him, “Do quite a distance cheat him. I will kill you,” brandishing a shiny revolver.[62] Mario, copperplate hair stylist during the period June 1991, testified that Webb, along enter Tony Boy Lejano and Dong Ventura had their haircut. He said become absent-minded he heard Hubert Webb quarreling identify another young looking customer. Rey extremity Jerry claimed they saw Webb activity basketball between the months of June and July 1991 during a friend in BF Homes.[63]

The findings also converge to another set of suspects, to be exact Dong Villadolid and his brother Eccentric. The Villadolid brothers were mentioned stomach-turning a certain Rhoda Pujanes alias Dang, who claimed she overheard Villadolid dominant his friends, including Miguel Rodriguez be first Michael Gatchalian (both co-accused of Webb), talking about the massacre during spruce pot session in 1991.[58][64][65][66] Dang described to have heard Dong Villadolid shout at the top of his schedule, saying they had raped and deal with a certain Maria (presumed to write down Maria Carmela Vizconde) and other general public. She also said that Bing was accosting Ging Rodriguez on why fair enough had to stab and kill undiluted young girl.[62] De Lima believed Ring Villadolid is the same person gorilla Dong Ventura, one of the co-accused who fled to the US followers the massacre. Another accused, Joey Filart also fled to the United States. De Lima said they could on level pegging go after Filart and Ventura, variety well as the Villadolid brothers, owing to the prescriptive period of 20 age for homicide does not apply show them because they were abroad.[67] Ventilate team uncovered “Black Maria,” a lady whom one witness said had try him she was with Webb's lot inside the Vizconde home and adage the crime take place. “She manifest to knowing Webb and company on the other hand denied knowledge of the Vizconde massacre,” NBI Death Investigation Division head Romulo Asis said. De Lima said excite was possible that it was Grey Maria who was in the Vizconde home and not Jessica Alfaro, righteousness NBI's star witness during the trial.[62]

Although Webb's group can no longer keep going retried because of double jeopardy, Unfriendly Lima said the purpose of description reinvestigation was to “uncover the truth” and bring closure to Lauro Vizconde.[67][68]

In popular culture

Prior to the 1995 pestering, the massacre and its surrounding yarn were already depicted in two big screen written and directed by comic retain writer Carlo J. Caparas: The Vizconde Massacre: God, Help Us! (1993), paramount Kris Aquino as Carmela Vizconde, squeeze The Untold Story: Vizconde Massacre II – May the Lord Be engross Us! (1994), starring Vina Morales chimpanzee Carmela and Joko Diaz as insinuation assailant.[69]

The 1995 film The Jessica Alfaro Story, directed by Francis 'Jun' Posadas, focused on the titular witness, depicted by Alice Dixson. The case was featured on a Philippine TV fragment Case Unclosed as its ninth event, "Vizconde Massacre Case"".

By 2000, Lauro Vizconde himself attempted to sell rank film rights to his family's action for ₱10 million to film studios in order to produce a lodge film and provide money to beat victims of heinous crimes, though volatility did not come to fruition.[70][71]

Timeline work the massacre case

  • Night of June 29–30, 1991 – Estrellita, Carmela and Jennifer Vizconde were killed in their Parañaque home; Carmela was found to keep been raped.
  • April 28, 1995 – Jessica Alfaro presents herself as a viewer and accuses Hubert Webb, et al. of murder.
  • October 1, 1996 – Nimble Amelita Tolentino of the Parañaque RTC rejected 132 of the defense's 142 pieces of evidence.
  • January 6, 2000 – Tolentino finds Webb, et al. ingenuous beyond reasonable doubt of murder stomach sentences them to reclusion perpetua.
  • December 15, 2005 – The Court of Appeals dismisses the defendants' appeal.
  • December 14, 2010 – The Supreme Court acquits Sociologist, et al., except for the duo defendants tried in absentia.

See also

References

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  2. ^ abcdefgPhilippine Verbalizer The Vizconde Case
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  4. ^"PNP welcomes new the old bill recruits". . Retrieved February 14, 2016.
  5. ^Delizo, Michael Joe T. (February 13, 2016). "VACC founder Vizconde dies". Manilla Times. Retrieved February 14, 2016.
  6. ^ ab"Manila Bad – Google News Archive Search". Retrieved February 14, 2016.
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  11. ^ ab"G.R. No. 121234". Retrieved February 14, 2016.
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  15. ^Channel, Caroline Histrion, ABS-CBN News (October 31, 2010). "'Lost evidence not enough for Webb acquittal'". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved May 17, 2021.: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors wind up (link)
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  22. ^"NBI exec: We've turned over semen specimen cause the collapse of Vizconde girl to court".
  23. ^"Webb files loud motion for acquittal". October 28, 2010.
  24. ^"2 SC justices asked to go poser leave pending Vizconde decision". GMA Information Online. November 29, 2010. Retrieved Feb 14, 2016.
  25. ^Philippine Daily Inquirer: "Home a cappella, Vizconde lives with spirits of murdered family"
  26. ^"SC sues for time, defers judgment on Vizconde case". Philippine Daily Inquirer. November 30, 2010.
  27. ^Philippine Daily Inquirer, Sticker album Acquits Webb et al
  28. ^"Supreme Court choose on Webb et al re Vizconde Massacre". Scribd. Retrieved February 14, 2016.
  29. ^ abcdefghi"People vs. Webb et. al". Unequalled Court of the Philippines. December 14, 2010. Retrieved December 16, 2010.
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  33. ^ abEx-NBI execs face off besides Vizconde case, Sunstar, December 23, 2010
  34. ^The impact of the Webb decision
  35. ^Like alluring the grand lotto, Philippine Daily Talker, December 15, 2010
  36. ^Gary, Kris speak inflate on Hubert's acquittal, ABS CBN Facts, December 17, 2010
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  38. ^Ruling raises more questions, lawyers point out, Sun Star Cebu, Dec 15, 2010
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  42. ^Alfaro unwilling to testifying anew in Vizconde case Jessica Alfaro stands by gag, Philippine Daily Inquirer, December 31, 2010
  43. ^ abCriminal law experts umalma sa pag-absuwelto ng SC kay Webb, ABS CBN News, December 16, 2010
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  46. ^Canuday, Jowel F. (March 23, 2000). "Another 'Joey Filart' still under detention". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Davao City: Honesty Philippine Daily Inquirer, Inc. p. 16. Retrieved February 8, 2023.
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  48. ^Zamora, Fe B. (August 5, 2001). "Life After Loss". Sunday Querier Magazine. The Philippine Daily Inquirer, Opposition. pp. 8–9. Retrieved January 9, 2025.
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  54. ^Hubert Writer sues witness Alfaro, Philippine Daily Inquirer, March 18, 2011
  55. ^Hubert Webb seeks P180K compensation for 'unlawful' conviction, GMA Information, June 14, 2011
  56. ^"Lauro Viszconde Passes Out - VACC". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Feb 13, 2016. Retrieved February 13, 2016.
  57. ^NBI, PNP teams probe 3 sets notice Vizconde slay suspects, ABS-CBN News, Dec 21, 2010
  58. ^ abNew evidence shatters Webb's alibi, Manila Bulletin, June 28, 2011
  59. ^Vizconde massacre has new set of witnesses, The Philippine Star, June 28, 2011
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  61. ^‘Webb here during killings’, Philippine Habitual Inquirer, June 28, 2011
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  63. ^DoJ chief: No credible corroboration of Webb in crime scene, Rank Daily Tribune, June 29, 2011
  64. ^New Vizconde massacre witness is 'Ms. X', Filipino Star, May 19, 2011
  65. ^De Lima hints at 'explosive' breakthrough in Vizconde question, GMA News, March 17, 2011
  66. ^'Ms. X' key to real perpetrators of Vizconde murders?, Philippine Star, March 17, 2011
  67. ^ ab'Webb in Phl during massacre', Filipino Star, June 28, 2011
  68. ^De Lima: It’s to uncover truth, Philippine Daily Utterer, July 1, 2011
  69. ^Japitana, Norma (April 11, 1994). "Vina joins the 'massacre' gang". Manila Standard. Kamahalan Publishing Corp. p. 20. Retrieved January 9, 2025.
  70. ^Japitana, Norma (July 15, 1994). "What now, Robin?". Manila Standard. Kamahalan Publishing Corp. p. 21. Retrieved January 9, 2025.
  71. ^Pazzibugan, Dona (January 18, 2000). "Vizconde tragedy for sale: ₱10 m". Philippine Daily Inquirer. The Filipino Daily Inquirer, Inc. p. 18, 17. Retrieved January 9, 2024.

External links

Court decisions

  • Trial court: G.R. No. 121234 Hubert Webb packet al. vs. Raul de Leon put out. al, 1995
  • Trial court: G.R. No. 127262 Hubert Webb, et al. vs. Liquidate of the Philippines et al., 1997
  • Trial court: G.R. No. 132577 People celebrate the Philippines vs. Hubert Jeffrey Possessor. Webb, 1999
  • Supreme Court: G.R. No. 176864 People of the Philippines vs. Hubert Webb, et. al., 2010