Lawyer to DOJ: No need for Webb to take polygraph test

MANILA, Philippines –  Hubert Webb does not need to undergo a polygraph test to prove his innocence again since he was already acquitted by the Supreme Court in the June 1991 Vizconde massacre, his lawyer told the Department of Justice (DOJ) yesterday.

DOJ Secretary Leila de Lima the other day challenged Webb and his other co-accused who were acquitted by the SC to undergo a polygraph test “if they are one with us in determining the truth and (for the) total closure to this case.”

Webb’s lawyer, Demetrio Custodio, told The STAR that his client has no obligation to undergo the polygraph examination and “to ask him to take it smacks of persecution.”

“He will agree to it but only if others will take it before him,” Custodio added.

Webb, Antonio Lejano, Michael Gatchalian, Miguel Rodriguez, Hospicio Fernandez, Peter Estrada, and former Parañaque policeman Gerardo Biong were acquitted by the Supreme Court on Dec. 14, 2010 after the High Court reversed CA’s earlier decision affirming the conviction made by the Parañaque Regional Trial Court (RTC) in 1995.

De Lima said “even if the results of the reinvestigation would show or confirm that they are the real culprits, because of the rule of double jeopardy, they cannot be charged again of the same crime.” She met with members of the DOJ interagency task force reinvestigating the massacre. The panel has only until June 30 to resolve the case and file charges against new suspects.