Justice Brion brands Inquirer story ‘malicious’

Supreme Court Associate Justice Arturo Brion

MANILA, Philippines—Supreme Court Associate Justice Arturo Brion branded as malicious the article published on the Philippine Daily Inquirer about him standing as wedding sponsors of the daughter of Jose Villarosa whose case involving the death of Quintos brothers in 1997 is with the high court.

“The Inquirer articles were malicious-printed without looking into underlying facts to bring [me] and the Supreme Court to disrepute,” Brion said in a statement sent to reporters Monday.

He said he inhibited from the case on Sept. 12, 2012 due to close relations to a party to the case and a raffle for replacement followed on October 1.

Brion, together with retired Supreme Court Associate Justice Antonio Nachura, are sponsors on the wedding of Villarosa’s daughter.

The family of slain brothers Michael and Paul Quintos questioned the inclusion of the two at the wedding.

In December 2006, the Office of the Solicitor-General, through Nachura recommended to the Court of Appeals the acquittal of Villarosa, co accused Gelito Bautista, Ruben Balaguer and Mario Tobias due to insufficiency of evidence.

But Nachura told reporters Monday that their recommendation then was made after a thorough study.

“Our position was based on the appreciation of evidence presented,” Nachura said.

“Our position does not bind the court. The Court of Appeals decided on that manner and more or less it validates our own findings,” he said.