This is despite questions to his credibility for receiving money and enjoying privileges while he was in Abadillas custody and the existence of inconsistencies in his testimonies in open court. It was hard to tell which made up the truth and the lies. Alfaro, upon explaining on how the house was ransacked, (the Paraaque police had earlier blamed house robbers as suspects), said that Ventura was looking for the front-door key and the car key. This page was last edited on 8 February 2023, at 03:37. [9] They were acquitted by a trial judge in September 1993 for insufficient evidence.[9]. The SC acquitted all the accused, reversing and dismissing the guilty verdict of the RTC and the CA. After the Mass, VACC founding chair Dante Jimenez urged Congress to initiate impeachment proceedings against the seven Supreme Court justices who either voted to acquit Webb and coaccused or abstained from voting last December. It strictly laid down these as the least requirement in evaluating the credibility of the claim of positive identification. By continuing, you are agreeing to our use of cookies. From there she allegedly saw Lejano and Ventura take a knife from the kitchen drawer, while the rest of the gang acted as lookouts. [2] Two of the accused remain fugitives from the law: Joey Filart and Artemio Ventura. The CA in effect crafted and formulated the conjectures giving them the appreciation similar to facts offered as evidence where it had based the judgment. This was a case that was solved nine years after the murders and then unsolved 10 years later. Vizconde massacre timeline | Philstar.com Needless to say, were unpopular with the PNP and other government agencies that citizens transact business with. You are just a few clicks away from making The politician would only be allowed by the spouse to run if the party that this politician will join can come up with a big amount for their family. The passing away of Lauro Vizconde a few days ago does not close the sad chapter on the tragedy known as the Vizconde massacre. [17], On January 6, 2000, Judge Tolentino rendered her decision, finding Hubert Webb, Peter Estrada, Hospicio Fernandez, Michael Gatchalian, Antonio Lejano II and Miguel Rodriguez guilty beyond reasonable doubt of the crime of rape with homicide. [11], Alfaro's testimony was corroborated by other witnesses including: Lolita Birrer, a former live-in partner of policeman Gerardo Biong, who narrated the manner of how Biong investigated and tried to cover up the crime. Seven justices based its decision on the following points: Webb, citing Brady v. Maryland, said "that he is entitled to outright acquittal on the ground of violation of his right to due process given the States failure to produce on order of the Court either by negligence or willful suppression the semen specimen taken from Carmela." It defended the attack on Alejos credibility, for example, his inconsistencies on the number of gunmen, arguing that this had already been explained by Alejo during cross-examination by correcting his earlier statement and that the affidavits, being ex-parte, are almost always incomplete and often inaccurate, but do not really detract from the credibility of witnesses. Copyright 2023. The case of the Vizconde Massacre took another direction only after four years, when Jessica Alfaro surfaced and became the case's star witness. After 15 years behind bars, Hubert Webb and 5 others in the Vizconde massacre case (Manila-Philippines) were released from prison on Tuesday. Six months is not enough for him to clean up the Aegean stable that is the PNP. I will kill you, brandishing a shiny revolver. The fight is not over. Sacaguing broke the guidelines in taking affidavits from witnesses. Webb was the prime suspect of the infamous homicide that occurred on June 30, 1991. The SC required this test as necessary before a testimony of positive identification could be accepted as credible and with merit. They were victims of gory murder; Carmela was raped before she was killed. ", The victims of the massacre (from left to right): Jennifer, Carmela, and Estrellita Vizconde, "The Vizconde massacre: Justice not served", "Lauro Vizconde to be buried in same grave with family Wednesday", "Manila Standard Google News Archive Search", "The Manila Times Internet Edition SPECIAL REPORT > Questions linger in Vizconde case", The Philippine Daily Inquirer, December 31, 2010, "Philippine Daily Inquirer Google News Archive Search", "NBI exec: We've turned over semen specimen from Vizconde girl to court", "2 SC justices asked to go on leave pending Vizconde decision", "SC sues for time, defers ruling on Vizconde case", Philippine Daily Inquirer, SC Acquits Webb et al, "Supreme Court decision on Webb et al re Vizconde Massacre", Lauro Vizconde in tears, Webbs on 'cloud nine', Gary, Kris speak up on Hubert's acquittal, Outrage over decision, sympathy for Vizconde, Ruling raises more questions, lawyers point out, Vizconde kin question why Webb was released so quickly, Alfaro unwilling to testifying anew in Vizconde case Jessica Alfaro stands by story, Criminal law experts umalma sa pag-absuwelto ng SC kay Webb, Ex-VP Guingona to SC: Reverse Webb's acquittal to give justice to Vizconde, "Another 'Joey Filart' still under detention", "New Vizconde massacre witnesses surface", New witnesses to prove Webb in PH during Vizconde massacre, Philippine Daily Inquirer, Hubert Webb seeks P180K compensation for 'unlawful' conviction, NBI, PNP teams probe 3 sets of Vizconde slay suspects, Vizconde massacre has new set of witnesses, Evidence, witnesses 'shatter' Webb alibi: task force, DoJ chief: No credible proof of Webb in crime scene, De Lima hints at explosive breakthrough in Vizconde probe. Choose Gods endless kind of love., Hernandez also reminded Vizconde that he now had three saints in Heaven.. I found this As of yesterday, police had arrested and filed criminal charges against six fraternity members suspected to have beaten to death John Matthew Salilig in a twisted concept ofbrotherhood. When the accused appealed the decision, the Court of Appeals (CA) affirmed the judgement of conviction by the RTC. "[29], The court maintained that for a person to be convicted there should not be "a reasonable, lingering doubt as to his guilt." Equal protection of the law is fundamental in the countrys Constitution. The court rejected his testimony because he was a disgruntled witness. She cited the testimony of Alex del Toro, husband of Webb's relative, who said he hired Hubert Webb as an employee at his pesticide company in California. She observed Hubert was quite irritated, uneasy, and walked to and fro inside his room. Early Thursday, Lauro Vizconde went to Holy Cross Memorial Park and laid bouquets of roses on the tombs of his wife and daughters. The court also said that it was "possible for Alfaro to lie" on the details of the case. Hubert Webb - Wikipedia It is said that being elected president is a gift from God. For those who havent heard aboutIsumbong, the public service program started at Radyo Veritas on June 1, 1991. Jennifer woke up and, seeing Webb violating her sister, jumped on him and bit him. Pinoy murders: The worst true crimes in the Philippines Once again, the SCs applications of jurisprudence on the admissibility of forensic evidence in criminal trial have not been equally applied. She had been hanging around that agency for sometime as a stool pigeon, one paid for mixing up with criminals and squealing on them. You will regret it.[58][59] Jack, a village security guard who kept records of the village where Webb lived said he saw Hubert Webb during the time of the massacre. Biong was released from jail on November 30, 2010, after serving his sentence. Hopefully, if they will surface, public pressure will snowball and I will finally get the justice I am looking for, he said. Manila Times Special Report on the Vizconde Case, G.R. There was entry of (former senator) Freddie Webb leaving the country in March 1991 but no Hubert Webb, De Lima said. On the acquittal of Lorenzo delos Santos, the accused whom Alejo had also positively identified, it ruled that his acquittal did not damage Alejos credibility; and his positive identification of the accused. It held that a positive declaration from a witness that he saw the accused commit the crime should not automatically cancel out the accuseds claim that he did not do it. I will continue to play that role as long as I live. :Isumbongwill make a comeback on PTV-4 on June 12, 2021. The lower courts, however, reasoned that "Webb's alibi cannot stand against Alfaro's positive identification of him." InVizconde case: The majority of the justices strongly argued against relying on conjectures on deciding the case, particularly on the claim that Hubert Jeffrey could have been in the Philippines, and not in the U.S., when the crime happened. [6], Alfaro's testimony coincided with the angle that was being explored by Supt. The other defendants were Antonio Lejano II, Hospicio Fernandez, Michael Gatchalian, Miguel Rodriguez, Peter Estrada, Joey Filart and Artemio Ventura. White was mistaken in saying that Gatchalian and company went in and out of the gated community many times, since they only entered once. X' key to real perpetrators of Vizconde murders? Published July 4, 2011 7:24pm. The Vizconde Massacre: God, Help Us! - sirasa.dixiesewing.com Who does forget the heart-crushing 1991 Visconde massacre, with Jessica Alfaro standing as the star witness, whistle-blowing the details how these young men before, coming from our society's influential families, killed Mang Lauro's wife and his two daughters. The Vizconde murders remained unsolved for almost four years, until 1995 when eyewitness Jessica Alfaro, a self-confessed drug addict, came forward on April 28, 1995, to shed light on the massacre. Kung di ninyo ako pinabayaan, 'di ako magkakaganito. (Fuck you all! 'Ms. No. 3. She also testified that Biong received money at a house that she later learned belonged to then Paraaque Congressman Freddie Webb; the Webb family's maids, Mila Gaviola and Nerissa Rosales, who both testified that Hubert Webb was at home on June 30, 1991. Estrellita, Carmela and Jennifer Vizconde. He was sentenced to eleven years in prison. [47], On December 28, 2010, new witnesses have come forward accusing Hubert Webb and others of allegedly being behind the Vizconde massacre. Webb's testimony was also contradicted by other US-based defense witnesses who said they usually saw him "going to the beach, malling, bar-hopping or playing basketball. I incurred the ire of the citizenry, including some of my fellow columnists in theInquirer,for my defense of Hubert. "[29], The court held that security guard Normal E. White, Jr.'s testimony was unreliable. No. Ateneo law professor Alan Paguia: "The order of release is questionable as it appears to be undemocratic. Alfaro said she was then having reservations when she first executed the first affidavit and held back vital information due to her natural reaction of mistrust. Villarama noted that the alleged Passport, Passenger Manifest of United Airlines Flight and United Airline ticket of accused Webb offered in evidence were mere photocopies of an alleged original, which were never presented. White, on the other hand, said he saw the three cars enter the subdivision on the night of June 29, as Alfaro had testified; White also testified that policeman Gerardo Biong was the first to arrive at the crime scene. Herbas had testified for the defence instead of the prosecution when the Abadilla did not fulfil his promise to give him (Herbas) exactly the same salary he was receiving and when he was told that he would no longer be presented as witness because the testimony of Alejo would be sufficient. For example, the prosecutor, instead of admitting Alejo to the WPP during trial, rather chose instead to allow the Abadillas, who had an interest in Alejos testimony, to make him dependent on them for his livelihood at least for the duration of the trial of the case. 176389 / G.R. Hong Kong Many of the stories in my columns in previous newspapers were complaints from citizens. After reading about how responsive Secretary Benhur Abalos is to matters raised by the media, some members of the PNP, particularly in the province of Iloilo, have shared through channels about their operational Local producers wont like it, but it looks like in the near future, there will be a flood of imported agricultural commodities. The Untold Story: Vizconde Massacre II - May the Lord Be with Us! The court ruled that Alfaro was "a stool pigeon, one who earned her living by fraternizing with criminals so she could squeal on them to her NBI handlers." Welcome to my maiden column in TheSTAR, now the countrys No. It was based on the rule of the minority and not the majority as they (the SC justices) had enunciated in Fortich v. The High Court put to question the quality of the testamentary evidence furnished by the witnesses. 3. She said the same MRT provided data that several Webbs arrived in the country, including Hubert, sometime in October 1992. He adds, this Court takes judicial notice of reported irregularities and tampering of passports in the years prior to the recent issuance by the Department of Foreign Affairs(DFA) of machine-readable passports. Thus, it was not surprising for Alfaro to testify with great details in court. Vizconde is clinging to the hope that even if this period ended Thursday, more concerned citizens will approach the National Bureau of Investigation to corroborate claims made by new witnesses that Webb was seen in BF Homes, Paraaque City, at the time of the murders. Alfaro said Estrellita was killed before Webb began to rape Carmela. But both the RTC and the CA rejected his defence ruling that his alibi cannot stand against Alfaros positive identification of him as the rapist and killer. Both the SC and the CA affirmed the RTCs sentence of guilty verdict without applying the test on the credibility of a witness as they did in Vizconde case. [30], In three separate occasions, police authorities mistakenly arrested persons they believed to be suspect Joey Filart: a namesake in August 1995, the same person again in February 2000, and a person from Compostela Valley in March 2000. This site uses cookies. [2] Lauro Vizconde, Estrellita's husband and the father of Carmela and Jennifer, was in the United States on business when the murders took place. InVizconde case: The SC has given weight to the importance of forensic evidence in a court trial. Vizconde Massacre: The hidden Truth. Methinks one year would give Eleazar ample time impose his brand of discipline on one of the most undisciplined police forces in the world. In rejecting questions to Alejos credibility, the SC affirmed the CAs ruling that the credible testimony of a lone witness(es) assumes more weight when there is no showing that he was actuated by improper motive to testify falsely against the accused, as in the case of Freddie Alejo. This has resulted in the revelation by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) that they no longer had the specimens as these were remanded to the Paraaque courts. While washing Hubert Webb's clothing, Gaviola said she noticed fresh bloodstains on his shirt. Conjectures and suspicions are not facts, hence, they have no evidentiary value. The ballistic test results also did not match to any of the firearms supposedly taken from the accused to the empty shells that were recovered at the crime scene. So how can such accused penetrate a mind that has been made cynical by the rule drilled into his head that a defense of alibi is a hangmans noose in the face of a witness positively swearing. June 30, 1991 for a bicycle he bought from a store in Orange County, Los Angeles, California. The Visconde Massacre Case - Filipino Journal Alejo confirmed these two (2) as the persons he saw from his guard post walking to and fro before the shooting incident. The trial of the case having been long concluded, the requirements of the law may have been satisfied, but not the demands of justice. Im still hoping for a miracle to happen. In the said stockroom, there is a small door going to Hubert's room and in that door there is a small opening where she used to see Hubert and his friends sniffing on something. Secondly, Alfaros quality as a witness and her inconsistent, if not inherently unbelievable, testimony cannot be the positive identification that jurisprudence acknowledges as sufficient. Vizconde massacre. Former Paraaque policeman Gerardo Biong was found guilty as an accessory for burning bedsheets and tampering with other evidence in the crime. In the Vizconde case, the SC does not accept conjecture as the basis of its decision. This column will tackle various topics on the days it will come out: Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. Justice Villarama argued that a photocopy of Webbs passport in court to support his alibi and the testimonies of witnesses, mostly his relatives and friends, could not be given merit, by cautioning his fellow justices that it can be gleaned from the fact that passports and plane tickets indicating dates of arrival and departure do not necessarily prove that the very same person actually took the flight and added that indeed, alibi cannot be sustained where it is not only without credible corroboration, but also where it does not, on its face, demonstrate the physical impossibility of the accuseds presence at the place and time of the commission of the crime. Firstly, in the Vizconde case, the SC still held as credible the corroborating testimonies of the witnesses favouring Hubert Jeffrey who are mostly his relatives and friends in support of his defence of alibi. . I became a villain in the eyes of the citizenry that was crying for blood; but I was steadfast. Theyre projecting Digong as a feeble old man still seeking power. Police assets are often criminals themselves. The NBI is a special investigating body attached to the DoJ. Secondly, in the Abadilla case the SC held that the defense of alibi is weak, but in the Vizconde case it held that not all denials and alibis should be regarded as fabricated. I got involved in the case after Webb told me Hubert, whose name was slowly cropping up in news reports as a prime suspect, was in the United States when the dastardly crime happened. The 47-year-old Estrellita had 13 stab wounds. 'Hubert Webb was in PH during Vizconde massacre' - ABS-CBN News Nephews had posted a banner declaring "Truth prevails 20 years after" and demanding "Final justice for the Vizconde massacre victims," in apparent reference to government probers' claims . Biong walks free, insists he's innocent | ABS-CBN News Indeed, if the accused is truly innocent, he can have no other defense but denial and alibi. The court also said that if Webb was in the U.S. when the crime was committed, the Alfaro's testimony would not hold together: "Without it, the evidence against the others must necessarily fall. due to "overwhelming evidence that showed Webb and the other accused had conspired to rape Carmela and, in the process, kill her and the rest of the family." Fax: +(852) 2698 6367, Copyright 2023 Asian Human Rights Commission. Like Herbas, court records had also shown that Alejo has been receiving money and free accommodation from the Abadillas. Inconsistencies: In Vizconde case damages credibility, in Abadilla case does not. No. [12] On July 24, 1997, the Supreme Court noted that Tolentino erred when she refused to admit the 132 pieces of evidence presented by the defense, although these were later admitted in court through an order issued by Tolentino.[12][16]. But big offenses, such as rape or attempted rape, should be filed with the police or the prosecutors office. 176864 People of the Philippines vs. Hubert Webb, et. The unconstitutionality of prior restraint. [56][62][63][64] Dang claimed to have heard Dong Villadolid shouting at the top of his voice, saying they had raped and killed a certain Maria (presumed to be Maria Carmela Vizconde) and other persons. The defense questioned Alfaro's credibility noting that she admitted to being under the influence of drugs when she allegedly witnessed the crime and had made inconsistent statements on her two affidavits. Webbs co-accused, Antonio Lejano, is a son of a known singer and celebrity. Please try again. 185123/G.R. Another accused, Joey Filart also fled to the United States. MANILA, Philippines - Six new witnesses reveal Hubert Webb, son of former Senator Freddie Webb, was in the Philippines when the Vizconde massacre took place on June 1991. Appendix: Case analysis: Supreme Court's rulings on Vizconde and (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Vizconde said he was optimistic about finding more witnesses.. [60] Mario, a hair stylist during the period June 1991, testified that Webb, along with Tony Boy Lejano and Dong Ventura had their haircut. On August 11, 1999, the Regional Trial Court of Quezon City acquitted two of them and convicted the five others, now collectively known as the Abadilla Five. On October 1, 1996, Judge Amelita Tolentino admitted only 10 of the 142 pieces of evidence the defense presented. The Jessica Alfaro Story in 1995 was meanwhile focused on the star witness, portrayed by Alice Dixson. Am I dismayed by the decision of the (Supreme Court)? 4. According to Rivera, Sacaguing was never part of the NBI team assigned to investigate the Vizconde massacre and that his former colleague took Alfaro's statement in April 1995 without the presence of a lawyer. Lauro Vizconde the husband of Estrellita and father of Carmela and Jennifer, was in the United State on business when the murders took place. People vs. Bello, G.R. 2. Birrer said she had accompanied Biong to the Vizconde house to destroy the evidence and to retrieve Webb's jacket and the murder weapon. New Vizconde massacre witness found | Inquirer News Thus, her testimony could not be admitted. The SC, however, held that by failing to prove the existence of a relationship between Hubert and Carmela; and that the lover that Alfaro claimed that Carmela had met did not come forward in public or in court, her testimonies about the accused and the victims were like a piece of jigsaw puzzle trimmed to fit into the shape on the board but does not belong because it clashes with the surrounding pieces and the lover was a mere ghost of the imagination of Alfaro, the woman who made a living informing on criminals. At about 4 a.m. on June 30, 1991, Gaviola woke up and entered the bedrooms to get the Webb's dirty laundry and wash it as part of her job. The Vizconde murder case, colloquially known as the Vizconde massacre, was the multiple homicide of members of the Vizconde family on June 30, 1991 at their residence at 80 Vinzons Street, BF Homes, Paraaque, Metro Manila, Philippines.Estrellita Vizconde, 49, suffered thirteen stab wounds; Maria Carmela Vizconde, 19, suffered seventeen stab wounds and had been raped before she was killed . I went to the US to check on senator Webbs allegations I paid for my fare and accommodation, by the way and found that, indeed, Hubert was there when the Vizconde women were being butchered at their home in Paraaque. Justo Cabanacan, the security supervisor of the gated community, said that he saw Webb enter the gated community, although he did not record Webb entering in his log book. In open court, he already said there were six, not four assailants; that it was two other gunmen, not one of the four present close to the car who pointed the gun at him; and he was not nervous but rather had the opportunity to see the faces of all the assailants facing him all at the same time. Webb's reliance on the presumption of regularity of official functions, stressing the fact that the US-INS certifications are official documents, is misplaced. He alleged that he could not forget Webb because Biong had allegedly threatened him, Do not cheat him. Envy aliens who can avoid PH; pity Pinoys who are stuck here.
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