Judge admonishes Ecleo case lawyers

An obviously dissatisfied and irate Regional Trial Court judge Geraldine Faith Econg told private prosecutors handling the parricide case filed against cult leader Ruben Ecleo Jr. to come to court prepared next time.

Econg told the panel of prosecutors to carefully study the facts of the case before making any legal moves otherwise such might contribute to an adverse effect against their case.

She observed that the prosecution failed to make a thorough study of the case because for so many times they have committed lapses, she said, particularly in the markings made on their exhibits that were submitted before the court.

After the prosecution finally decided to rest during the hearing of the case last Friday, Econg failed to control her emotion and told the prosecutors: "Kadaghan diha nga exhibits nga nagpareho ang mga marka, unya mo-rest na mo?"

Econg said the prosecutors should be prepared when they appear before the court, saying: "You know I study my case before I come to court."

After scolding the prosecution panel, Econg also scolded defense lawyer Giovanni Mata for filing a demurrer to evidence even before the prosecution rested its case, which is contrary to what is specified by the rules.

Section 23, Rule 119 of the Rules of Courts allows the defense to file a demurrer to evidence within five days after the prosecution rests its case on the grounds of insufficiency of evidence.

Mata tried to explain that he filed the motion for a demurrer to evidence thinking that the prosecution has already rested its case.

But while the defense counsels committed a mistake when they filed a demurrer to evidence before the prosecution rested its case, no one from the prosecution panel noticed the defect until after the court refreshed them of the rules.

"Paita ani uy," Econg said.

The prosecution panel asked the court to give them another chance to correct the defect, while Mata was also allowed to re-file his demurrer to evidence.

Econg instructed Ecleo's lawyers to file their demurrer to evidence not later than May 22, and the prosecution was also instructed to submit their arguments about it not later than ten days. - Rene U. Borromeo