THE Chiong family could petition the court to stop the showing of the film, “Give Up Tomorrow” that portrayed the innocence of Paco Larrañaga.
Integrated Bar of the Philippines Cebu City Chapter President Earl Bonachita gave this advice when asked about the possibility that the film will be shown in Cebu.
In an interview, Bonachita said that he has not seen the film yet.
But he said asking the court to stop the film’s showing is an option that Thelma Chiong could pursue.
“They can ask the court to stop showing if it’s violating the rights of the aggrieved party and if it’s mocking the justice system… and if its also tainting the image of the victims,” he said.
“Literary works perhaps that explore the evidence that may not be presented, could however be presented as part of the right to express oneself,” he added.
Last month, there was a screening of the film at the Cinemalaya festival at the Cultural Center of the Philippines.
Directed by New York-based Michael Collins, “Give Up Tomorrow” talks about the life of Larrañaga and the country’s justice system.
Marty Syjuco, who was originally from the Philippines, teamed up with Collins to create the documentary that earned at least 13 international awards around the world including those in Spain, the US, Australia, and Germany.
The trailer of the film can be viewed online.
A portion of the film showed Paco being interviewed at a prison cell in Madrid.
“Someday, somehow, sometime, the truth will come out. I hope it’s not yet too late,” he said.
A series of screenings of the film is being scheduled in the US. There is another screening in the University of the Philippines Film Institute in Diliman on Sept. 5. /Carmel Loise Matus, Correspondent