P20-M acceptance fee for lawyer?

MANILA, Philippines - Datu Unsay Mayor Andal Ampatuan Jr., the prime suspect in the November 23 Maguindanao massacre, deserves to get the death penalty, according to an official of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) Assemblyman Khadafy Mangudadatu, brother of Buluan Vice-Mayor Esmael Mangudadatu, said he supports the suggestion of some sectors that Andal Jr. should die for his crime.

“Kung pagbabasehan ang kaso niya, walang karampatang parusa dun kundi kamatayan o death penalty,” Mangudadatu said.

The sisters of Khadafy and Esmael were killed in the massacre in Ampatuan town along with Esmael's wife, Genalyn, and 54 other innocent civilians, including 30 journalists.

However, Khadafy Mangudadatu admitted that this is no longer possible since the capital punishment was abolished in 2006.

“Pero hindi naman ‘yun allowed...kung ano yung parusa sa kanya... ‘yun na at alam naman natin na may karampatang parusa talaga sa kanyang kasalanan,” said Mangudadatu.

Ampatuan Jr. waived his right to file a counter-affidavit to the multiple murder complaint during Friday’s preliminary investigation.

Trusts gov't, Arroyo

Khadafy Mangudadatu also said he believes the government is serious in its desire to see that justice is served. He also prefers that the process be done slowly rather than hastily.

"Mas mabuti yung dahan-dahan at hindi yung mindamandali yung proseso. Isa lang yung kelangan, yung tunay na hustisya. Mapabilis man o dahan-dahan, as long as true justice will be achieved," he said.

Asked if he trusts President Arroyo, who was a close ally of the Ampatuans, Khadafy Mangudadatu said: "Nandiyan yung tiwala. Di lang naman Mangudadatu at Ampatuan ito and not just mere killing. I know na idadaan sa tamang proseso na hindi ma-white wash." (The trust is there. This is not just between the Mangudadatus and the Ampatuans, and this is not just mere killings. I know that this will go through the right process. It won't we whitewashed).

Mangudadatu said it is up to the courts to decide on the complaints filed against the other Ampatuans.

On the newly-appointed officers-in-charge (OIC) of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), Assemblyman Mangudadatu said he does not mind who are appointed long as their goal is to "uplift the Bangsamoro people."

"Kung sino man ang naluklok, walang problema basta ayusin lang natin, ilagay sa ayos ang dapat ayusin," he said.

Defends media harassment

Meanwhile, Buluan Vice-Mayor Esmael Mangudadatu defended members of the media who figured in a scuffle with Ampatuan Jr. and his security escorts during the preliminary investigation at the Department of Justice (DOJ).

Members of the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) and the National Press Club tried to show photos of the massacre victims to Ampatuan Jr. as he was being led inside the DOJ.

Security men tried to block the journalists, causing a scuffle and forcing Ampatuan Jr. to fall to the ground.

As Ampatuan Jr. was being taken to a vehicle after the hearing, members of the media again mobbed him where he sustained a minor gash to his forehead.

But Mangudadatu, who attended the Christmas party of the National Press Club, said the journalists merely tried to express their dismay, noting there were 30 journalists who were also killed in the November 23 massacre.

"Alam niyo, yung reaksyon ng media pinakita lang nila na talagang galit na galit sila," Mangudadatu said.

The National Bureau of Investigation said it will review the security protocol for Ampatuan Jr. to prevent a repeat of what happened on Friday.

P20-M acceptance fee?

Meantime, a public interest lawyer, Ernesto Francisco, said he was asked by one of the Ampatuans accused in the multiple murder case to defend him, but he declined.

Due to the seriousness and gravity of the crime committed in Maguindanao, Francisco said he is sure that the Ampatuans paid their lawyer a huge acceptance fee.

He said that in cases where life and liberty are at stake, a lawyer can demand a P20 million acceptance fee alone.

Francisco said the accused also pays for not just the services of the lawyer but also his or her reputation, dignity, and integrity.

Waives right to answer raps

Sigfrid Fortun, the lawyer for Ampatuan Jr., told state prosecutors on Friday his client and other members of the Ampatuan clan who are also suspects in the massacre of 57 innocent civilians last November 23, were waiving their right to file a counter-affidavit.

Fortun claimed Justice Secretary Agnes Devanadera seemed to have already concluded that there is probable cause to charge his clients in court.

"With statements made by Secretary Devanadera, press statements in respect of strong evidence linking the Ampatuans, which will ensure that they are incarcerated for a long period of time, we, the Ampatuans in so far as the respondents that I represent, are submitting the matter for resolution by the panel," Fortun said.

He also invoked Section 16 of Article 3 (Bill of Rights), which says: "All persons shall have the right to a speedy disposition of their cases before all judicial, quasi-judicial, or administrative bodies."

Lawyers of the other accused, meanwhile, asked the prosecution panel that they be allowed not to submit counter-affidavits in response to the complaint filed by the Philippine National Police (PNP).

They said they would have to wait for copies of a separate National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) complaint, and then submit consolidated counter-affidavits.

The DOJ panel granted the motions of the lawyers, and then adjourned around 30 minutes after the proceedings started.

All parties were given 10 days or until December 28 to submit consolidated counter affidavits.