The AHRC is deeply concerned by the contradiction in the application of jurisprudence by the SC in these cases, particularly its ruling on positive identification, the credibility of witness and its appreciation of forensic evidence. [15] The accused alleged that by rejecting 132 of the 142 pieces of evidence, Tolentino had set the tone for their conviction. De Lima also said seven new witnesses claimed they saw Webb in the country during the months of April, May and June 1991. Webbs son, Hubert Jeffrey, is also the brother of a television host, Pinky, in one of the largest television networks in the country. 176389 / G.R. ), Moreover, Judge Tolentino also denied Webb's request to subject semen samples to DNA testing on the belief that the samples may no longer be intact. A second movie, The Untold Story: Vizconde Massacre II May The Lord Be With Us, was released in 1994 and starred Vina Morales as Carmela and Joko Daz as an assailant. Hell never return to the Philippines, said the Thai tourist whose cash was filched by Manila airport security personnel. [11], The defense produced documents and presented 95 witnesses, including Hubert Webb himself and his father, along with other relatives and friends to support Webb's alibi that he was in the United States from March 9, 1991, to October 26, 1992. A local elected official whos being groomed to run for a national office is being sold to the highest bidder by the politicians spouse. It held that the acquittal of their co-accused does not necessarily benefit the appellants. For there is no law requiring that the testimony of a simple [sic] witness should be corroborated for it to be accorded full faith and credit. 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 . The SC, however, held that by failing to prove the existence of a relationship between Hubert and Carmela; and that the lover that Alfaro claimed that Carmela had met did not come forward in public or in court, her testimonies about the accused and the victims were like a piece of jigsaw puzzle trimmed to fit into the shape on the board but does not belong because it clashes with the surrounding pieces and the lover was a mere ghost of the imagination of Alfaro, the woman who made a living informing on criminals. The Vizconde murders remained unsolved for almost four years, until eyewitness Jessica Alfaro, a self-confessed former drug addict, came forward on April 28, 1995, to shed light on the massacre. The presumption leaned on is disputable and can be overcome by evidence to the contrary. Indeed, if the accused is truly innocent, he can have no other defense but denial and alibi. Hubert Webb of Vizconde Massacre Freed- Breaking News - theAsianparent Vizconde murders - Wikipedia In rejecting the defence of the accused, the SC also affirmed the conjecture the CA had put forward as to the possibility that the accused could have been present or somewhere at the vicinity where the crime took place, as mentioned below: On Joel de Jesus, it was not impossible for him to have gone also Katipunan Avenue (from Quezon City where he was driving), which is also part of Quezon City, not to mention the fact that with his tricycle, he could have easily moved from one place to another; On Rameses de Jesus and Lenido Lumanog, their claims lack credence as they are unsupported by the testimonies of independent witnesses. It would be a serious miscarriage of justice and a demonstration of inequality before the law should jurisprudence not be applied equally. Webb presented certifications from the U.S. Immigration but he failed to submit as evidence in court the original copy of his passport with immigration entry stamped on it. (1994) Details Release date June 24, 1993 (Philippines) Country of origin Philippines Languages English Filipino Tagalog Filming locations I incurred the ire of the citizenry, including some of my fellow columnists in theInquirer,for my defense of Hubert. I will be conferring with my lawyers about my future moves.. Like the accused in the Vizconde case and for any other cases for that matter, the accused in the Abadilla murder case also deserve equal protection of the law. Webb had presented the alibi that he was in the United States when the crime was committed, but he was still found guilty by the Paraaque Regional Trial Court. Vizconde said his quest for justice was continuing despite the end of the prescription period for the prosecution of his familys killers. [48] Other witnesses say Webb was in the Philippines at the time of the murders. [2] Two of the accused remain fugitives from the law: Joey Filart and Artemio Ventura. [52] On June 14, 2011, Hubert Webb filed a P180,000 compensation claim for "unlawful conviction" for the Vizconde massacre. The RTC, however, acquitted Delos Santos despite being positively identified also by Alejo as one of those who was present at the crime scene. New Vizconde massacre witness found | Inquirer News This was how Lauro Vizcondes relatives summed it up on Thursday night after a Mass marking the 20th anniversary of the death of his wife Estrellita and daughters Carmela and Jennifer. Choose Gods endless kind of love., Hernandez also reminded Vizconde that he now had three saints in Heaven.. He alleged that Webb bought illegal drugs from him on two other occasions in May 1991. We have ruled that accused-appellant may not invoke the acquittal of the other conspirators to merit the reversal of his conviction for murder. The NBI is the agency responsible in providing security and protection of witnesses admitted under WPP. In rejecting questions to Alejos credibility, the SC affirmed the CAs ruling that the credible testimony of a lone witness(es) assumes more weight when there is no showing that he was actuated by improper motive to testify falsely against the accused, as in the case of Freddie Alejo. Webb was the prime suspect of the infamous homicide that occurred on June 30, 1991. Former Paraaque City cop Gerardo Biong walked free from the New Bilibid Prisons (NBP) in Muntinlupa City after serving a 12-year sentence. Another accused, Joey Filart also fled to the United States. The SC, however, upheld the RTC and the CAs judgement that the defence of alibi of the accused is a weak defense, (and that) for it to prosper, the accused must prove not only that he was at some other place at the time of the commission of the crime, but also, that it was physically impossible for him to be or within its immediate vicinity. This was a case that was solved nine years after the murders and then unsolved 10 years later. Apart from Alejo, earlier there was another witness, Merlito Herbas. June 14, 1993 - Vizconde Massacre solved; 'brains,' three others fall Police finish investigation of the Vizconde case with the arrest of the suspected mastermind and three other suspects,. Youd be surprised who the people are behind the call for his extension; some of them are top politicians. Remember when I made the disclosure that someone is pressuring the justices to vote for a reversal? Only minor cases, like oral defamation and quarrel between neighbors, are handled by the barangay. May I invite you to watch?). Person of interest in hazing case of Adamson student found dead, Jeepney phaseout: Its more than just new vehicles, Sandiganbayan convicts ex-Pagcor chair Genuino of graft, House energy committee chair Arroyo bats for cheap electricity, LIVE UPDATES: Face-to-face classes, work suspended as transport strike looms, vivo announces PHP 1,000 price drop on vivo V25e, Kickstart summer with vivos hot smartphone deals this 3.3, Over 24,000 hectares of coral reef at risk following Mindoro oil spill, Frat members planned to burn Adamson hazing victims body police | INQToday, Joey de Leon laughs off Eat Bulaga rebranding rumors; Tito Sotto meets up with show producer Tony Tuviera, LIST: LGUs, schools suspend face-to-face classes, work as transport strike looms, NBA: Devin Booker, Suns cruise past Bulls in second half. Nephews had posted a banner declaring Truth prevails 20 years after and demanding Final justice for the Vizconde massacre victims, in apparent reference to government probers claims that, contrary to his alibi, released murder convict Hubert Webb never left the country. 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. Her mother, Estrellita, 47, and sister, Jennifer, 7, were also killed. InVizconde case: The majority of the justices strongly argued against relying on conjectures on deciding the case, particularly on the claim that Hubert Jeffrey could have been in the Philippines, and not in the U.S., when the crime happened. Theyre projecting Digong as a feeble old man still seeking power. ", Jessica Alfaro: Alfaro's e-mail from abroad read. They cannot be the bases of conviction as they cannot substitute for the constitutional requirement of proof of guilt beyond reasonable doubt. [47], On December 28, 2010, new witnesses have come forward accusing Hubert Webb and others of allegedly being behind the Vizconde massacre. We use cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. The Jessica Alfaro Story in 1995 was meanwhile focused on the star witness, portrayed by Alice Dixson. There was entry of (former senator) Freddie Webb leaving the country in March 1991 but no Hubert Webb, De Lima said. It held that a positive declaration from a witness that he saw the accused commit the crime should not automatically cancel out the accuseds claim that he did not do it. Be consoled that the truth will always come out, Hernandez advised Vizconde. 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. Alfaro implicated the children of wealthy and prominent families, including Hubert Webb, Antonio Lejano II, Hospicio Fernandez, Michael Gatchalian, Miguel Rodriguez, Peter Estrada, Joey Vffrillaret and Artemio Ventura. The Vizconde Massacre: God, Help Us! (1993) - IMDb A police officer, Gerardo Biong, has also been charged for destroying the evidence at the crime scene. This site uses cookies. For those who havent heard aboutIsumbong, the public service program started at Radyo Veritas on June 1, 1991. Eleazar, a strict disciplinarian, is probably the only PNP chief who is loved and respected by the citizenry. 187745. He also ordered the Secretary of Justice Leila de Lima to study the possibility of giving compensation to Webb and others. 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". December 14, 2010:http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2010/december2010/176389.htm When the accused appealed the decision, the Court of Appeals (CA) affirmed the judgement of conviction by the RTC. White, on the other hand, said he saw the three cars enter the subdivision on the night of June 29, as Alfaro had testified; White also testified that policeman Gerardo Biong was the first to arrive at the crime scene. She said the same MRT provided data that several Webbs arrived in the country, including Hubert, sometime in October 1992. Since I was introduced to The STAR readers in the front page, Ill hit the ground running. Movie producers and directors rode the wave of public outcry by creating true-to-life films based on such heinous crimes. On June 30, 1991, Estrellita Vizconde and her two daughters: Carmela and Jennifer, were found lifeless inside their home in Paraaque. VIZCONDE MASSACRE: After 20 Years | GMA News Online 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. The Untold Story: Vizconde Massacre II - May the Lord Be with Us! Massacre era | PEP.ph They were sentenced to reclusion perpetua and ordered to indemnify the Vizconde family Php 3 million for the murders. "[21], In April 2010, the Supreme Court approved DNA testing to be performed on the semen specimen obtained during autopsy from Carmela Vizconde. On April this year, the Webbs filed an urgent motion to acquit when they found out that the NBI no longer has custody of the specimen that was taken from the body of the rape victim, Carmela Visconde. Forensic evidence: In Vizconde case it cannot lie, in Abadilla case it is inconclusive. At about 4 a.m. on June 30, 1991, Gaviola woke up and entered the bedrooms to get the Webb's dirty laundry and wash it as part of her job. Police assets are often criminals themselves. No. 121234 Hubert Webb et al. 176864. [18], In her decision, Tolentino described the testimony of defense witnesses as full of inconsistencies and biased. The jurisprudence mentioned above that the SC invoked has not been equally applied. God does not teach us to retaliate. The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) wishes to draw the attention of the Supreme Court (SC) of the Philippines to its recent decision on two well-known cases tried in the lower courts; the conviction in the Vizconde Massacre case was overturned while that of the Abadilla murder case was affirmed. 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. [11], Alfaro's testimony was corroborated by other witnesses including: Lolita Birrer, a former live-in partner of policeman Gerardo Biong, who narrated the manner of how Biong investigated and tried to cover up the crime. 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. Therefore, the SCs rejection of Villamaras opinion demonstrates a fundamental contradiction to its September 7 decision on the Abadilla case. The case of the Vizconde Massacre took another direction only after four years, when Jessica Alfaro surfaced and became the case's star witness. The Supreme Court acquitted them on Dec. 14, 2010. Massacre era. The men were released on Dec. 14 last year, after the Supreme Court dismissed the testimony of star witness Jessica Alfaro against Webb. All of these had been applied in acquitting the accused in the Vizconde case, which is contradictory to its earlier decision affirming the conviction of the Abadilla Five. Suspicions, no matter how strong they are, must never sway judgment. Vizconde Massacre: The hidden Truth. 'Ms. By providing an email address. 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. [2][20], The court ruled that the Paraaque RTC was correct in sentencing Webb et al. Hong Kong All rights are reserved. The passing away of Lauro Vizconde a few days ago does not close the sad chapter on the tragedy known as the Vizconde massacre. 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. "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 She cited the testimony of Alex del Toro, husband of Webb's relative, who said he hired Hubert Webb as an employee at his pesticide company in California. The prosecutors, the RTC and the CA have been made aware of this fact by the defence. No. This page was last edited on 8 February 2023, at 03:37. [8] If, on examination, the DNA of the subject specimen does not belong to Webb, then he did not rape Carmela. No. After 15 years behind bars, Hubert Webb and 5 others in the Vizconde massacre case (Manila-Philippines) were released from prison on Tuesday. vs. People of the Philippines et al., 1997, G.R. It cautioned itself from accepting the testimonies of witnesses without applying these tests. Alfaro testified that as Webb followed Carmela into the dining room, she decided to step outside for a smoke. [139] Against positive evidence, alibi becomes most unsatisfactory. Carpio testified for the defense during the trial. In open court, he already said there were six, not four assailants; that it was two other gunmen, not one of the four present close to the car who pointed the gun at him; and he was not nervous but rather had the opportunity to see the faces of all the assailants facing him all at the same time. 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. The most significant topic that Ive ever written about and which I personally got involved in was the Vizconde massacre. All of us who have cases in court, dont we realize that if your opponent has money, brace yourself. And while justice seems elusive, life must go on, Vizcondes grandniece Katherine Asuncion said, reading from a family statement. Lauro Vizconde on Thursday marks the 20th anniversary of the murders of his wife and two daughters at his residence in BF Homes, Paraaque City.
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