Massacre trial: No witness for prosecution

A defense lawyer in the Maguindanao massacre case advised the prosecution to come better prepared next time after Thursday’s hearing went by with no one on the witness stand.

The prosecution failed to present any witnesses, citing a pending petition for review and a temporary restraining order filed by a defendant in the Court of Appeals on the presentation of post facto evidence.

Prosecutor Aristotle Reyes told Judge Jocelyn Solis-Reyes of Quezon City Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 221 they had no witnesses at the moment.

Andal Ampatuan Jr., prime suspect in the Maguidanao massacre, filed a petition for certiorari or review of the RTC court’s ruling on evidence found post or after the date of the massacre, Nov. 23, 2009.

Ampatuan’s lawyer, Philip Sigfrid Fortun, said the prosecution’s failure to present witnesses for several hearings now constituted negligence.

“There would still be 100 others (witnesses),” he said.

He cited the recent failure of the prosecution to present two officials of the Commission on Elections after the wrong set of witnesses was sent to Manila.

“There is a need for the prosecution to present its case as swiftly as it can,” Fortun said.