Vizconde lawyer claims ‘disturbing, alarming’ treatment by prosecution

MANILA, Philippines – Lawyer Ferdinand Topacio said Wednesday that he was demanding an explanation from the prosecution panel on why they were preventing him from being the counsel of Lauro Vizconde when he eventually testifies.

“I demand an explanation from the prosecution, especially the negative remark,” Topacio said. “I am deeply offended as a lawyer.” He did not disclose what the remark was and who among members of the prosecution said it.

Topacio said that it seemed like he was being separated from his client, which he described as “most disturbing and most alarming.”

He felt that they were not being treated well despite Vizconde’s cooperation as a witness.

“They are also lawyers [and] we are all professionals. My being a lawyer for the Arroyo’s has nothing to do with this impeachment,” Topacio said when asked if his connection with the Arroyos could be a reason why the prosecution did not want him as counsel for Vizconde.

Topacio is the legal counsel of Jose Miguel Arroyo, husband of former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

Topacio added that he would not be a litigant, meaning he has no role to play other than to give advice to Vizconde while on the witness stand.

Topacio said he was there to give context to the testimony of Vizconde who has no hatred or quarrel with Corona.

He said that Vizconde stated in his affidavit submitted before the Supreme Court that he knew there was no malice in the actions of Corona and it was only in the interest of truth and justice when Corona told him that Associte Justice Carpio was lobbying for the acquittal of Hubert Webb.

Webb was among those who was convicted in the Vizconde massacre in 1991 where the wife and children of Vizconde were murdered. The Supreme Court later overturned the conviction of Webb in 2010.