SC allows live coverage of Maguindanao massacre ruling
MANILA, Philippines — The Supreme Court allowed Tuesday the open and live coverage of the December 19 release of the court verdict on the decade-old Maguindanao massacre case.
In a press briefing, SC spokesperson Brian Keith Hosaka said the en banc voted to allow the live coverage of the promulgation of the high-profile case involving political clans in Maguindanao.
The SC’s Public Information Office (PIO) and Office of the Court Administrator recommended the live coverage of the verdict release after various media networks and publications filed a petition before the high court pressing for live coverage of the case judgment on December 19.
However, only two cameras from the state-run PTV will be allowed inside to maintain order in the courtroom and due to space constraints, Hosaka said.
The cameras will be manned by PTV personnel but will be subject to “strict control and supervision” of SC-PIO. Other media networks will be allowed to hook up with the PTV camera for the live feed.
Reporters, meanwhile, will have to watch the proceedings inside a designated media room where a live feed will be aired.
Hosaka said only accredited media will be allowed inside the Camp Bagong Diwa, a police camp under the control of the National Capital Regional Police Office (NCRPO).
The high court official said they are expecting over 400 individuals in the courtroom, including the more than 100 accused, the victims’ families, and their lawyers.
Members of the influential Ampatuan clan are among the accused in this multiple murder case. Most of the victims were beheaded and mutilated in Ampatuan town, Maguindanao, on November 23, 2009.
The Maguindanao massacre was deemed as the world’s deadliest single attack on members of the media since 32 of 58 victims were journalists who were part of a convoy that was supposed to cover the filing of the certificate of candidacy of Toto Mangudadatu, a fierce rival of the Ampatuans.
Quezon City Judge Jocelyn Solis-Reyes has set the promulgation at 9 a.m., December 19, at Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City.
The court was supposed to rule on the case before the 10th year anniversary of the massacre on November 23 but it asked the high court to give it more time due to “voluminous records.”
