Utopia offers P.2 million reward for Bar blast

MANILA, Philippines – The fraternity of Chief Justice Renato Corona based in the Ateneo de Manila University Law School is offering a reward of P200,000 for information that will lead to the arrest of the suspects in the grenade attack that marred the conclusion of this year’s Bar examinations in Manila and injured close to 50 people.

“The fraternal order of Utopia, a fraternity based in the Ateneo law school, is offering a reward of P200,000 to anyone who can provide information that will lead to the early resolution of, and apprehension of the suspects in, the bombing incident during last Sunday’s bar exams,” the Fraternal Order of Utopia Alumni Foundation said in a statement.

Aside from the Chief Justice, Associate Justices Roberto Abad and Arturo Brion are also alumni of Utopia.

Lawyer Antonio Bernardo, president of the foundation, may be contacted through 0917-8990613 for queries on the reward.

“Utopia condemns in the strongest terms the irresponsible act of the perpetrators which caused injuries and sufferings to many young people whose aspirations to become lawyers have been adversely affected by this dastardly and cowardly act,” Bernardo said.

He said their fraternity that supports the ongoing investigation of the Supreme Court on the incident, hopes that those responsible for this unforgivable crime will soon be apprehended and brought to justice.

SC spokesman Midas Marquez welcomed the cash reward offered by Utopia.

“Bringing perpetrators of this senseless act of violence to the bar of justice should be a concerted effort. With this offer, it is hoped that we can put closure to this mishap at the soonest possible time,” he said.

Meanwhile, the eight-man panel of the SC chaired by Associate Justice Martin Villarama Jr. will start at 1:30 p.m. today the investigation on the bombing.

Eyewitnesses have been invited to shed light on the incident and help the probe committee identify the persons responsible for the attack, according to its secretary deputy court administrator Raul Villanueva.

Villanueva said at least 10 people would face the probe panel in the daily hearings that would be closed to the public.

He revealed that the SC probe is looking into all angles, including the possibility that the attack was a result of a “frat war.”

In a related development, the future remains bright for the second-year law student who lost her two legs in the grenade attack.

Raissa Laurel, who is still confined at the Philippine General Hospital after doctors amputated her legs, got an unexpected visit from Chief Justice Corona last Thursday afternoon.

“When you pass the bar three years from now, I would like to personally administer your oath solo,” Corona told a surprised Laurel, a law student at the Colegio de San Sebastian.

Corona also assured the victim that the High Court is doing everything to hold the perpetrators of the attack liable.

Laurel also got an offer from the Office of the Solicitor General for a special seven-week legal internship program upon her recovery.

“This intensive, comprehensive and structured program is designed for outstanding and exceptional law students like you,” said a personal letter to Laurel sent by Solicitor General Joel Cadiz.

Cadiz said the program, which would start on April 11 and end on May 31 next year, is a “stepping stone to a career in the OSG later as a legal officer after you have taken the bar exams and an associate solicitor after you pass the bar exams.

“I hope you will accept this invitation to serve as a patriot in the People’s Tribune. We pray for your speedy recovery. God bless,” the letter stated. With Cecille Suerte Felipe