5 Maguindanao massacre suspects seek bail hearings separate from trial

MANILA, Philippines - Five accused in the Maguindanao massacre multiple murder case, including a member of the Ampatuan clan, are asking the court to conduct separate hearings for their bail petitions so the trial would not “take 55,000 years,” as estimated by a prosecutor.

Andal Ampatuan Sr.’s son Datu Sajid Islam Ampatuan, Nasser Esmael, Nicomedes Tolentino, Bulatukan Omar Kayansang and Datutucon Malaguial Esmail all claimed to have been erroneously accused in the 57 counts of murder pending before the Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 221.

In the pleading signed by lawyers Paris and Sherwin Real and filed last week, the accused cited a statement made by Private Prosecutor Harry Roque that it could take 55,000 years for the court to decide on their cases.

This was in the light of revelations that the prosecution has 500 more witnesses lined up and 2,000 pieces of evidence to pin down the 196 accused. The pleading stated that with Judge Jocelyn Solis-Reyes hearing the case two days every week, the trial could reach 25 years.

“Such being the case, counsel for complainants and the members of the prosecution panel should have long been retired by that time. The same situation obtains as regards counsel for the accused and the honorable presiding judge as well,” the motion stated.

The defense lawyers said the separate hearings for their clients’ bail applications were necessary especially with the doctrine of “justice delayed is justice denied.”

Aside from this, the five accused are asking the court to conduct hearings on Mondays to tackle the private complainants’ evidence for the civil aspect of the case.

The five accused also said that to allow the prosecution to present 500 witness and 2,000 pieces of evidence in opposition to their applications for bail is “clearly unfair, unreasonable and capricious.”