MANILA - The camp of businessman Lope Jimenez, one of the accused in the Ruby Rose Barrameda slay case, insists that they have nothing to do with the recantation of prosecution star witness Manuel Montero which practically absolves the accused of Barrameda's murder.

Jimenez's lawyer, Atty. Ferdinand Topacio, said that while a "grave tragedy" has befallen the Barramedas, "such misfortune" should not be blamed on his client.

"Mr. Montero, in withdrawing his previous statements, has said that he was bothered by his conscience; that is his privilege, nay his right. The Barramedas cynically impute baser motives; that is also their right, but their misfortune as well if they cannot see beyond the blinders of their own hate and refuse to believe that other people can actually feel remorse.

"We would like to challenge their hollier-than-thou attitude by asking them: put up or shut up. If you cannot prove what you are saying, then in the name of all that is holy, please say nothing at all," Topacio said.

Montero told the Malabon Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 170 on Tuesday that Jimenez, his brother, Atty. Manuel Jimenez, Jr., and Ruby Rose's husband, Manuel Jimenez III, did not order Ruby Rose's murder and that his previous statements and testimonies implicating them were born out of grudge.

Montero said his earlier statements against the Jimenezes were all "lies."

Topacio said that had Lope Jimenez wanted to influence the outcome of the case, he would have done so at the preliminary investigation stage before the Department of Justice (DOJ).

"But that is not our way; our way is to meet the false accusations against him within the framework of the justice system," Topacio said.

Ruby Rose's remains were found in the waters off Navotas City on June 10, 2009, more than two years after she disappeared.