It was also not true that there was no showing that he (Alejo) was actuated by improper motive to testify falsely against the accused because the defence had since been challenging his credibility during the trial. Fax: +(852) 2698 6367, Copyright 2023 Asian Human Rights Commission. The men were released on Dec. 14 last year, after the Supreme Court dismissed the testimony of star witness Jessica Alfaro against Webb. No two persons have the same DNA fingerprint, with the exception of identical twins. [2][3] Estrellita Vizconde, 49, suffered thirteen stab wounds; Carmela Vizconde, 19, suffered seventeen stab wounds and had been raped before she was killed; and Anne Marie Jennifer, 6, had nineteen stab wounds. [2][20], The court ruled that the Paraaque RTC was correct in sentencing Webb et al. She said that when she entered Hubert's room, she saw him wearing only his pants, awake and smoking in bed. But I could not work there), Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption chairman. Early Thursday, Lauro Vizconde went to Holy Cross Memorial Park and laid bouquets of roses on the tombs of his wife and daughters. The term dirty politics is appropriate for that kind of set-up. "I doubt that at this time, physical evidence will be available because a lapse of time has taken place, but that's the only way we can find the true killers." Run after Alfaro Several jeepney drivers groups have called for an unprecedented one-week strike next week to demand extension of the deadline for phasing out traditional vehicles and replacing them with modern It will take over 200 years for women to be at par with men, a news report from Davos said. No. It is hard to believe this there is a record of supposed arrival from other country but no record of departure in 1991 or in any month of 1991, she said. You are just a few clicks away from making 176864), it became one of the most sensational cases in the Philippines, being described as a "trial of the century". Webb's reliance on the presumption of regularity of official functions, stressing the fact that the US-INS certifications are official documents, is misplaced. But to Judge Amelita Tolentino of the Paranaque Regional Trial Court, the truth was the account of star witness Jessica Alfaro. Be consoled that the truth will always come out, Hernandez advised Vizconde. Hence, it was not physically impossible for them to travel to Quezon City via the North Expressway at the time the crime took place; On Augusto Santos, the corroboration of his brother-in-law, Jonas Padel Ayhon, that he was at the Jose Fabella Hospital when the crime happened, the CA rejected his corroboration because he was not an impartial witness and ruled that where nothing supports the alibi than the testimony of a relative, it deserves scant consideration. On April 28, 1995, National Bureau of Investigations asset and self-confessed drug user Jessica Alfaro came forward to police authorities to shed light on the killing of the Vizconde family. June 30, 1991 for a bicycle he bought from a store in Orange County, Los Angeles, California. April 28, 1995 Jessica Alfaro presents herself as a witness and accuses Hubert Webb. Hello friends! 132577 People of the Philippines vs. Hubert Jeffrey P. Webb, 1999, G.R. Unreliability of Jessica Alfaro's testimony: Alfaro had prior knowledge on the facts of the case having been an, Alfaro was not able to explain why the house was ransacked if robbery was not the motive of Webb and his group, Unreliability of testimony from other witnesses, Alfaro's testimony will fall apart if Webb was not at the crime scene and will relieve the others accused of the crime. 1. 176864 People of the Philippines vs. Hubert Webb, et. LIKE me to support Mr. Vizconde Im still hoping for a miracle to happen. Executive M/Sgt. 2. She also said that Bing was accosting Ging Rodriguez on why he had to stab and kill a young girl. Even if we were denied justice, I consoled them that at least people already know what really happened, he said. Di naman ako puwede magtrabaho don (If that's the case, then I should have had a salary. To support this, Webb presented a Certification issued by the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service of August 31, 1995 confirming that his entry into that country was recorded. The SCs decision in acquitting all the accused in the Vizconde case has fundamental contradictions to its earlier decision affirming the guilty verdict of the accused in the Abadilla case. Hell never return to the Philippines, said the Thai tourist whose cash was filched by Manila airport security personnel. The NBI is a special investigating body attached to the DoJ. This was a case that was solved nine years after the murders and then unsolved 10 years later. ABADILLA MURDER CASE: This case is about the murder of Rolando Abadilla, a police colonel during Marcos regime, at 8:30 on June 13, 1996 at the Katipunan Avenue, Quezon City. The 3 sets of suspects are: the Barroso Akyat-Bahay gang; the group of construction workers with engineer Danilo Agwas tagged as mastermind; SPO3 Angel Viaje, PO3 Rodolfo Colado, Ruben Pineda; and, the group of Hubert Webb. The CA in effect crafted and formulated the conjectures giving them the appreciation similar to facts offered as evidence where it had based the judgment. He alleged that he could not forget Webb because Biong had allegedly threatened him, Do not cheat him. They are Lenido Lumanog, Augusto Santos, Senior Police Officer 2 (SPO2) Cesar Fortuna, Rameses de Jesus and Joel de Jesus. The court also amended the award of damages from 100,000 pesos to 200,000 pesos, and also upheld the conviction of Biong as accessory to the crime "by abusing his public functions to conceal and destroy the physical evidence in order to prevent the discovery of the crime and by allowing the destruction of the physical evidence, Biong facilitated the escape of the principal accused. The court said that Alfaro was not a credible witness and that her "story of what she personally saw must be believable, not inherently contrived". The RTC, however, acquitted Delos Santos despite being positively identified also by Alejo as one of those who was present at the crime scene. There was only one vital witness for the prosecution, Freddie Alejo. However, the court pointed out that while Webb or his parents may be able to "arrange for the local immigration to put a March 9, 1991 departure stamp on his passport and an October 27, 1992 arrival stamp", they could not fix a foreign airlines passenger manifest, and the U.S. Immigration's record system. Tel: +(852) 2698 6339 The other accused were Artemio Dong Ventura, Michael A. Gatchalian, Hospicio Pyke Fernandez, Peter Estrada, Miguel Ging Rodriguez, and Joey Filart. Originally, there were seven accused charged in this case. At the end of February, the Bureau of Fire Protection held a parade featuring some of its trucks and equipment as well as new regular personnel: women firefighters. Your subscription could not be saved. The SC identified the inconsistencies and the incredible facts in Alfaros testimony: her claim that Hubert Jeffrey Webb and Carmela Vizconde had a relationship; that Carmela had another lover whom she met just before Hubert came to her home and that she saw in open the five other accused taking turns in raping Carmela. Sources from the Department of Justice said Webb, who was acquitted by the Supreme Court last December, 2010, was in the country during and after the crime happened in . I got involved in the case after Webb told me Hubert, whose name was slowly cropping up in news reports as a prime suspect, was in the United States when the dastardly crime happened. Policewoman Diaz even insulted Allan, saying he had no right to file the attempted rape complaint on behalf of the girl, because he was only the stepfather. De Lima said they could still go after Filart and Ventura, as well as the Villadolid brothers, since the prescriptive period of 20 years for homicide does not apply to them because they were abroad. [22], On October 8, 2010, Webb filed an urgent motion for acquittal. With your meaningful insights, help shape the stories that can shape the country. The Villadolid brothers were mentioned by a certain Rhoda Pujanes alias Dang, who claimed she overheard Villadolid and his friends, including Miguel Rodriguez and Michael Gatchalian (both co-accused of Webb), talking about the massacre during a pot session in 1991. It defended the attack on Alejos credibility, for example, his inconsistencies on the number of gunmen, arguing that this had already been explained by Alejo during cross-examination by correcting his earlier statement and that the affidavits, being ex-parte, are almost always incomplete and often inaccurate, but do not really detract from the credibility of witnesses. She did not show up at the NBI as a spontaneous witness (only after four years) bothered by her conscience. True Crime. Alejos testimonies in open court were also not consistent to what he had said to the police investigators immediately after the murder. He also claimed to have heard Hubert shout, Putang ina nyo! [3], The Inter-Agency Task Force assigned to reinvestigate Vizconde massacre case formed 6 teams or 3 parallel teams to look into 3 sets of suspects linked to the murders. When she could not produce the person, Sacaguing continued to press her saying that she might as well assume the role of her informant.. The Vizconde Massacre. Firstly, the SC held Alfaro was not a credible witness. The other defendants were Antonio Lejano II, Hospicio Fernandez, Michael Gatchalian, Miguel Rodriguez, Peter Estrada, Joey Filart and Artemio Ventura. On SPO2 Cesar Fortuna, the RTC, the CA and the SC, accepted the fact that he was at Camp Crame, but the SC affirmed the RTC and the CAs conjecture that it was not impossible for him to have gone to Katipunan road, Blue Ridge, which is relatively near Camp Crame when the shooting happened around 8.40 in the morning. May I invite you to watch?). The Vizconde murders remained unsolved for almost four years, until 1995 when eyewitness Jessica Alfaro, a self-confessed drug addict, came forward on April 28, 1995, to shed light on the massacre. The High Court put to question the quality of the testamentary evidence furnished by the witnesses. Abadilla Case Petition for Review on Certiorario:http://campaigns.ahrchk.net/abadilla5/docs/A5-FinalAppealPetition.pdf I would not have ended up like this if you had not neglected me). Pitong, an electrician who since 1982, already knew the Webb family claimed he saw a laundry woman wash a bloodied T-shirt on the morning of the crime. From there she allegedly saw Lejano and Ventura take a knife from the kitchen drawer, while the rest of the gang acted as lookouts. As a result, the court reverses the decision of the Court of Appeals, and acquits Webb, et al. MANILA, Philippines - Six new witnesses reveal Hubert Webb, son of former Senator Freddie Webb, was in the Philippines when the Vizconde massacre took place on June 1991. Thus the SC decision on the Vizconde massacre is flawed, Paguia averred, citing a portion of Fortich v. Corona, 312 SCRA 751, at 758 where the SC itself ruled that unless the minimum number of EIGHT votes for a majority is attained there is no decision to speak of, therefore the release order of the Webb group should not have been signed. The lower courts, the Supreme Court said, held that "Webb was actually in Paraaque when the Vizconde killings took place". [56] According to De Lima, all the new witnesses passed the polygraph test. It took the trial and appeal process in this case fifteen years. Suspicions, no matter how strong they are, must never sway judgment. By continuing, you are agreeing to our use of cookies. The politician would only be allowed by the spouse to run if the party that this politician will join can come up with a big amount for their family. No. White was mistaken in saying that Gatchalian and company went in and out of the gated community many times, since they only entered once. Aug 5, 2008. Don't miss out on the latest news and information. The Vizconde massacre, dubbed the crime of the 20th century, was my defining moment as a columnist and defender of the oppressed and those wrongfully accused. [12] (Under Philippine law, generally, alibi is the weakest defense, especially where there is direct testimony of an eyewitness, duly corroborated by another. Cabanacan said Webb had entered the subdivision (where the Vizconde house was located) a few days before the massacre and that he even identified himself as the son of then Congressman Webb. Birrer said she had accompanied Biong to the Vizconde house to destroy the evidence and to retrieve Webb's jacket and the murder weapon. Tolentino also said, the photographs and videotapes purportedly showing Webb in the United States appeared to be tampered. [6][7][8] The suspects said they were tortured and forced to confess to the crime before they were presented by Filart to the media. The presumption leaned on is disputable and can be overcome by evidence to the contrary. But in the Abadilla case, not only did the SC affird the CAs ruling in rejecting the defence of alibi, it did not also question the CAs formulation of conjectures on which it based its judgement. Credibility of a witness: In Vizconde case not credible, but credible in the Abadilla case. It is said that being elected president is a gift from God. The court also said that it was "possible for Alfaro to lie" on the details of the case. But her parents did not allow her to go. The most significant topic that Ive ever written about and which I personally got involved in was the Vizconde massacre. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Vizconde said he was optimistic about finding more witnesses.. The Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption(VACC) asked Justice Antonio Carpio and his cousin Justice Conchita Carpio-Morales to take a leave while the case is being decided to avoid undue influence on the court's decision. This is one of the most controversial and widely publicised massacre cases because of the involvement of the son of a former Philippine . Conjectures and suspicions are not facts, hence, they have no evidentiary value. But the grieving father couldn't distinguish the truth from the lies. No. On the acquittal of Lorenzo delos Santos, the accused whom Alejo had also positively identified, it ruled that his acquittal did not damage Alejos credibility; and his positive identification of the accused. Includes gruesome real photos from the crime scene. The readers will notice soon enough the brevity of each topic. God would be stupid to borrow Digongs words if He gifts him the vice presidency the second time around. Nos. Indeed, the testimony of a single witness, when positive and credible, is sufficient to support a conviction even for murder. Firstly, like Alfaro, Alejo also received money and free accommodation from the persons who had interest in his testimony. After the Mass, VACC founding chair Dante Jimenez urged Congress to initiate impeachment proceedings against the seven Supreme Court justices who either voted to acquit Webb and coaccused or abstained from voting last December. The CA rather held that positive and unequivocal declaration is sufficient to support a conviction which was affirmed by the SC. At any rate, Rameses de Jesus admitted that they were using the new car of Lenido Lumanog. [65] One team uncovered Black Maria, a woman whom one witness said had told him she was with Webb's group inside the Vizconde home and saw the crime take place. Alfaro testified that as Webb followed Carmela into the dining room, she decided to step outside for a smoke. Their original conviction was capital punishment but their sentence was modified to life imprisonment when the death penalty was abolished. This page was last edited on 8 February 2023, at 03:37. It strictly laid down these as the least requirement in evaluating the credibility of the claim of positive identification. X' key to real perpetrators of Vizconde murders? [2] Alfaro said that policeman Gerardo Biong "was instructed by Webb, in my presence, to take care of the house where the incident happened". With Romeo Vasquez, Elizabeth Oropesa, Robert Arevalo, Tommy Abuel. MANILA, Philippines - A former policeman who was jailed for allegedly tampering with evidence in the 1991 Vizconde massacre insists he is innocent of any crime after being released from prison Tuesday. The story of the Vizconde Massacre wasn't just a single story; it varied as told by a number of witnesses. Movie producers and directors rode the wave of public outcry by creating true-to-life films based on such heinous crimes. But big offenses, such as rape or attempted rape, should be filed with the police or the prosecutors office. Carpio testified for the defense during the trial. Francisco Kit Hernandez celebrated Mass. [23] On November 26, 2010, Lauro Vizconde voiced his concern to media about the purported lobbying of Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio for the reversal of the guilty verdict. [48] Other witnesses say Webb was in the Philippines at the time of the murders. Webbs co-accused, Antonio Lejano, is a son of a known singer and celebrity. 185123/G.R. I became a villain in the eyes of the citizenry that was crying for blood; but I was steadfast. [19], The Court of Appeals' Third Division voted 32 to deny Webb's motion for reconsideration and upheld the ruling of Judge Tolentino on December 16, 2005. On June 30, 1991, Estrellita Vizconde and her two daughters: Carmela and Jennifer, were found lifeless inside their home in Paraaque. God does not teach us to retaliate. When the accused appealed the decision, the Court of Appeals (CA) affirmed the judgement of conviction by the RTC. Secondly, Alfaros quality as a witness and her inconsistent, if not inherently unbelievable, testimony cannot be the positive identification that jurisprudence acknowledges as sufficient. She also testified that Biong received money at a house that she later learned belonged to then Paraaque Congressman Freddie Webb; the Webb family's maids, Mila Gaviola and Nerissa Rosales, who both testified that Hubert Webb was at home on June 30, 1991. She took advantage of her familiarity with these details to include in her testimony.