Panel formed to probe Alfaro testimony

MANILA, Philippines - A three-man panel of government prosecutors has been formed to conduct a preliminary investigation into the false testimony charge filed by Hubert Webb against government star witness Jessica Alfaro in connection with the 1991 Vizconde massacre.

The panel, immediately formed after Webb sued Alfaro last March 18, will be headed by Senior Assistant City Prosecutor Apolinar Quetullo and co-chaired by Prosecutors Ramil Reyes and Sheilani Baes.

A source privy to the formation of the panel told The STAR that the three-man team was created “for them to study the case very carefully” because “there are plenty of evidence and records.”

Webb accused Alfaro of offering false testimony against a defendant, which under Article 180 of the Revised Penal Code is punishable with six to 12 years’ imprisonment because he and several others were meted life sentences. He also asked Alfaro to pay him P30 million in damages.

Alfaro testified that it was Webb, a son of a former lawmaker, who was behind the murder of Estrella Vizconde and her daughters Carmela and Jennifer in their house in BF Homes in Parañaque City on June 30, 1991. She also claimed that Webb raped Carmela before she was stabbed to death.

Webb, who was convicted by a lower court, was acquitted by the Supreme Court last year.