Malacañang is standing by Justice Secretary Leila de Lima and her findings that allegedly shattered Hubert Webb’s claim he was in the United States when the Vizconde massacre happened—an alibi that led to his acquittal by the Supreme Court.
De Lima on Tuesday announced the result of the investigation ordered by President Aquino and conducted by the National Bureau of Investigation that prompted criticism against her of dishonesty and electioneering from the Webb family. (See banner story.)
“We will defer to Secretary De Lima about the NBI’s findings but we will defend her against charges of electioneering, etc.,” Mr. Aquino’s spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said on Wednesday in a text message to reporters.
In a separate statement, deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said the Aquino administration remains confident in the justice secretary’s “fairness and objectivity.”
On Wednesday, Jose Luis Agcaoili, one of Webb’s lawyers, accused De Lima of trying to boost her political stock by announcing in a news conference that the NBI had debunked Webb’s alibi.
The NBI downplayed criticism by Hubert, his father, the former Sen. Freddie Webb, and their lawyers.
“I can assure you that the reinvestigation was fair,” said NBI spokesperson Cecilio Zamora. “We did what we had to do. We would not have come out with what we told you if we did not.”
De Lima left for Germany on Tuesday night to attend a conference.
Justice Undersecretary Jose Vicente Salazar said the NBI and the department were just doing their sworn duty “in the pursuit of truth.”
Not surprised
“Sometimes the truth brings discomfort,” said Lauro Vizconde of the purported new evidence. “When confronted with evidence, it’s much easier to take things personally than face it. I wasn’t surprised with their conduct a while ago,” Vizconde said in Filipino.
The television set in Vizconde’s lanai was tuned in to the Webb press conference on Wednesday. But the widower was not paying attention to the purported new evidence pinning down Webb for rape with homicide for the murders of his wife Estrellita and daughters Carmela and Jennifer.
“I was not interested,” the 72-year-old later told the Inquirer.
“I know what their statements would be. I expected they would make that accusation about a tampered magnetic tape. I was expecting they would fire back,” Vizconde explained.
Webb and six others were found guilty by the Parañaque Regional Trial Court following the testimony of star witness Jessica Alfaro who claimed to be with them at the Vizconde residence on 80 Vinzons Street, BF Homes, Pitong Daan, the night of the murders.
Alfaro said she saw Webb on top of Carmela on the floor of the master bedroom from the door left slightly ajar.
Just following orders
“They were just following orders from the President,” Vizconde said of De Lima and the NBI. “Why should Freddie Webb take that personally? Some people must realize that the secretary and the agency under her could get into serious trouble if they don’t follow orders from their superiors.”
“The magnetic tape was a surprise to me. The agents never told me about it. It’s so easy to blame the NBI, to make up stories against it. How can the NBI tamper with a tape that stayed for so long with the (Bureau of Immigration),” he wondered.
Just curious
“So, can the Webbs prove that the NBI tampered with the magnetic tapes? But that’s not the issue anymore. The issues are still truth and justice. At least, people know the truth now, even if justice was not fully served,” the widower added.
Vizconde remains curious about the NBI’s revelation that it has new witnesses who can prove that Webb was in the BF Homes area when the murders happened.
“I would still like to talk to them, if it’s possible. You can’t blame me if I’m curious. I want to see for myself whether they are credible,” he said.
“The witnesses all frequented BF at the time of the murders and they said they saw Hubert here. I suspect they only came out now because they were scared. If victims can be harassed (by perpetrators), how much more the witnesses,” Vizconde noted.
Preparations were being made in observance of the 20th anniversary of the massacre. Tables and chairs were stacked in the garage of the Vizconde residence. The lanai has been cleared of obstructions.
Vizconde appeared at peace, vindicated with the new evidence at hand.