Supreme Court allows live media coverage of trial

In a majority vote, the Supreme Court allowed yesterday the live media coverage of the Maguindanao massacre trial.

The massacre claimed the lives of 57 civilians, including 15 women and 30 media practitioners in Ampatuan town, Maguindanao, on Nov. 23, 2009.

In Cebu, local media groups hailed the SC ruling that also drew mixed reactions from the legal community.

High Court Spokesman Jose Midas Marquez said the decision, penned by Associate Justice Conchita Carpio-Morales, took into consideration the impossibility of accommodating all parties inside the courtroom.

“It is about time to craft a win-win solution that shall not compromise rights…,” Justice Morales said.

Majority of the 12 high court justices voted in favor of the live coverage.

Those who did not vote were Chief Justice Renato Corona, who is on leave; Associate Justice Arturo Brion, who is on sick leave; and Associate Justice Antonio Eduardo Nachura, who has retired.

In a resolution penned by Associate Justice Conchita Carpio-Morales, the court took into consideration the impossibility of accommodating all parties inside the courtroom.

Media entities wanting to air live the proceedings should apply before the Quezon City regional trial court Branch 221, which is conducting the trial.

“There should be no selective coverage. The media applying for live coverage permission should undertake to cover the entire proceedings up to its promulgation,” Marquez explained.

He added that there would be no commercial breaks until adjourned except during breaks or when the court excluded the public.

Media coverage of the trial for the Maguindanao massacre would be “pro hac vice,” or for this case only.

Earlier this year, the SC, through its spokesman, lawyer Jose Midas Marquez, said the highest court of the land would not readily grant the petition for live media coverage of the trial.

In an interview, Marquez said there was still a need to balance the Constitutional rights of the accused and the rights of the public to information pertaining to the proceedings of the case against the Ampatuan family, who were pointed to as the alleged “mastermind” in the massacre.

The Kapisanan ng Mga Brodkaster sa Pilipinas (KBP)-Cebu chapter welcomed the Supreme Court decision, saying it will promote transparency and update the public on the details of the trial.

KBP-Cebu chairman Ruphil Bañoc said the live media coverage will ensure that there is no cover-up because the accused are powerful political personalities.

Leo Lastimosa, radio dyAB station manager and former KBP-Cebu chairman, said the live trial coverage will serve as a constant reminder of the tragedy to the viewing public.

“The public has a short attention span. It will be a reminder for us that we should not let it happen again,” he said.

Regional Trial Court (RTC) Judge Simeon Dumdum Jr. said the Supreme Court said the High Court used to discourage video coverage during trials.

Michael Yu, former president of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) Cebu City chapter, said he is not amenable to a live coverage of court trials.

While transparency is needed, Yu said the identities of witnesses should not be revealed to the public. Earl Bonachita, incumbent president of the IBP Cebu City chapter, disagreed.

“The SC ruling is consistent with the right of the people to information on matters of public concern,” he said.

Cebu Provincial Board (PB) Member Arleigh Sitoy agreed, saying the public has a right to know about the Maguindanao massacre trial. Inquirer with reports from Ador Vincent Mayol, Carine M. Asutilla and Carmel Loise Matus