Palace laments slow pace of Maguindanao massacre trial

Malacañang on Friday expressed frustration over the slow pace of the Maguindanao massacre trial, saying it was affecting public perception of the Aquino administration.

Edwin Lacierda, President Aquino’s spokesperson, expressed hope that the live media coverage of the case being tried by Quezon City Judge Jocelyn Solis-Reyes would cause the proceedings to move faster.

“If only it could be hastened without sacrificing due process, that would be appreciated not only by the other branches of government but also by the people,” he said at yesterday’s news briefing.

Lacierda said Malacañang was “just as frustrated” with the pace of the trial. “As a result of the pace that is a bit slow, we are being blamed,” he lamented.

He said the satisfaction ratings of the executive branch suffered as shown in the Social Weather Stations’ survey in March because the public had mistakenly thought that the administration was in charge of the trial.

Guidelines on interviews

Lacierda reiterated the need for guidelines on media interviews with the accused, including Zaldy Ampatuan.

In recent interviews with select reporters, the suspended governor of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao claimed he knew of election fraud and purported acts of corruption of the Arroyo administration.

The information Ampatuan was offering gave rise to speculation that he was trying to strike a deal with the government in exchange for some form of reprieve as an accused in the massacre of 57 people, including 32 media workers, in Maguindanao on Nov. 23, 2009. (There is a 58th victim but the remains have yet to be found.)

“Since the court has jurisdiction over Zaldy Ampatuan, perhaps it would be best if the court proper would issue guidelines on interviews or [whether] interviews should be granted at all,” Lacierda said.

“That is our request to the honorable court,” he said.

No deal

Mr. Aquino recently met with the families of the massacre victims and assured them that he would do everything for justice to be served.

Justice Secretary Leila de Lima also indicated that the government would not strike a deal even in exchange for information that could be used in charges against the previous administration.