188: Vizconde won’t reveal source on lobbying at SC

abs-cbnNEWS.com

MANILA, Philippines - Lauro Vizconde won’t reveal who their source was in connection with allegations that a senior magistrate masterminded the acquittal of Hubert Webb and 6 others for the massacre of his family in 1991.

In a reply to an order by the Supreme Court, Vizconde said he “has come to the belief that it would not be proper at this time to break the seal of confidentiality under which the information regarding Mr. Justice [Antonio] Carpio was given to him by those concerned.”

Vizconde, through lawyer Ferdinand Topacio, earlier claimed there are 3 judiciary members who are privy to Carpio’s supposed efforts to convince fellow magistrates to vote for Webb.

He had said the 3 do not want to come out in the open because their testimonies might affect the people’s trust in the judiciary.

Vizconde said he and Topacio did not mean to discredit the SC by making a statement about it.
“He also takes this opportunity to state that while he strongly disagrees with the findings of the supposed majority of the court…he nevertheless desires to attain closure as far as the judicial aspect of the case is concerned,” the reply states.

In a 7-4-4 decision last month, the high court set free Webb, the son of a former senator, and other scions of influential families due to the inconsistencies in the testimony of the star witness, Jessica Alfaro. A subsequent motion for reconsideration was also junked.

Vizconde said this would leave him free to concentrate on campaigning for “reforms in the criminal justice system within the larger context of the entire socio-political system of the country.”

This includes running after Carpio through an impeachment case before the House of Representatives for “betrayal of public trust and graft and corruption.”

He said they have already found support from several lawmakers.

Both Vizconde and Topacio, meanwhile, “reiterate their utmost respect and supports for the institution of the SC, their full faith in the integrity and leadership of Mr. Chief Justice Renato Corona…”