Manila judge becomes fifth to inhibit self on South Cotabato bet's murder case

MANILA, Philippines - A Manila regional trial court (RTC) judge inhibited himself from trying a defeated South Cotabato mayoral candidate’s murder case yesterday, the same day he was supposed to hand down a decision.

Due to supposed rumors of his impartiality, Manila RTC Branch 22 Marino de la Cruz Jr. issued a two-page order saying he will inhibit himself from the murder case of Tampakan, South Cotabato mayoral candidate Gregorio Banal.

Banal’s relatives lamented that justice had once again eluded them after the surprising decision made by De la Cruz.

“We’ve come a long way just to assure that justice will be served and yet we once again another judge inhibited himself from the case. De la Cruz will be the fifth judge to inhibit from this case,” Mark Escano said.

Witnesses said then Tampakan mayor Bienvenido Barroso and his uncle, Henry Barroso, were the masterminds behind Banal’s murder. Bienvenido was arrested three years after his rival, Banal, was shot dead in 2004.

De la Cruz said the prosecution’s sudden lack of faith in the verdict he was about to hand down was the reason why he decided to inhibit at the last minute.

“The court received information from a member of the victim’s family that talks are circulating in their hometown of Tampakan, South Cotabato where the crime took place that detained accused will be acquitted in this case. Although baseless, the same may put in question not only the action (or) decision of the court in the case, but also the probity and objectivity of the undersigned,” he said.

Prior to yesterday’s scheduled promulgation, Escano said Banal’s widow, Elisa, was hospitalized due to fatigue and stress after rumors suddenly came out that De la Cruz would acquit accused Bienvenido.

Private prosecutor Conrad Conopio, who represents Banal’s relatives, said the evidence they have to prove Bienvenido’s guilt is strong.