Lawyers oppose live-link television

CEBU, Philippines - The counsels of Bella Ruby Santos and Ian Charles Griffiths will oppose the proposed live-link television of the minors who will testify during the hearing of the Ellah Joy case.

Lawyer Julius Caesar Entise said they want to see the reactions or the movements of the minor-witnesses during examination.

He stressed that they are not going to harass the witnesses. He cited the possibility of coaching when using the live-link television.

Public Prosecutors Petronio Elesterio, Annabelle Robles and Jerome Abarca earlier filed a motion to allow the use of live-link television during the trial of the case for the minor-witnesses.

The prosecutors cited that the minors can be subjected to trauma and fear during intense questioning. The live-link television, they said, will be used to protect the witnesses from the “hostile court environment.”

Meanwhile, the defense lawyers issued a press release yesterday saying a law firm in London specializing in libel and defamation cases is in the process of seeking International Writs at the Queen’s Bench Division of the High Court.

Lawyers Rameses Victorius G. Villagonzalo, Ronel Ubod, Lyndon Maceren, Roberto Rublico and Julius Entise said the writs will be issued to individuals who allegedly defamed Santos and Griffiths.

“Writs will be served on key public officials through diplomatic channels. The defense team is not prepared at this stage to identify those who will receive such writs nor the amounts of damages sought against individuals,” the press release reads.

 “However they may include elected as well as appointed officials and the total damages sought could exceed £10 million (P68 million),” the lawyers added.

The defense counsels said Griffiths and Santos have all the right to take appropriate action against anyone who “libels or defames them.”

They added that there were “numerous false accusations” made against Griffiths and Santos, including the alleged payments made to a Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG)-7 insider to keep Santos informed of the police operation against her. (FREEMAN)