Zaldy files contempt charge vs De Lima, fiscal

MANILA, Philippines - Former Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) governor Zaldy Ampatuan has filed a contempt charge against Justice Secretary Leila de Lima and State Prosecutor Aristotle Reyes over their remarks regarding the Maguindanao massacre case published in The STAR.

In a seven-page complaint raffled off  Wednesday to the Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 221, Ampatuan – through counsel Philip Sigfrid Fortun – said the statements of the two regarding the discharge of former Sultan sa Barongis vice mayor Sukarno Badal from the list of the accused has “cast doubt, bias, and overall prejudice upon the cases filed” against him.

Ampatuan asked Judge Jocelyn Solis-Reyes to cite De Lima and Reyes in contempt of court and slap them with one month imprisonment and a penalty of P10,000 each.

He cited the Feb. 15 STAR article quoting De Lima as saying, “We consider this as a victory for the prosecution because of his important, damaging testimony” that includes “personal knowledge of the planning, execution, and cover-up of the killings.”

Ampatuan claimed that De Lima’s statements “are speculative, biased, and have the effect of judging the quality of the witness’ testimony, which is a function reserved exclusively for this… court.”

Meanwhile, the former ARMM governor said the Reyes’ remarks “create an impression upon the minds of the public and the court that (Badal’s) testimony will fortify the case” against him even as he has yet to present his evidence.

The complaint cited the Feb. 15 STAR article quoting Reyes as saying, “Badal’s testimony showed that (Zaldy) participated in the planning of the massacre. He is equally liable in the crime (as the rest of the accused).”

The complaint alleged that Reyes made a “glaring and baseless conclusion” as to the guilt of Ampatuan.

“Without qualifying his claim, respondent Reyes in effect confirmed the guilt of the accused ahead of the trial court’s decision on the criminal cases,” it read.