Ella Joy’s family seeks P3.4 M in damages

The family of the  6-year-old Ellah Joy Pique is seeking at least P3.4 million in monetary damages from Bella Ruby Santos in relation to the girl’s death two years ago.

Prosecution lawyer Noemi Truya-Abarientos yesterday told the court that the Pique family is entitled to P200,000 in actual damages; P700,000 in attorney’s fees and litigation expenses; P1 million in moral damages; P500,000 in exemplary damages; and P1 million for the supposed income Ellah Joy ought to have earned if she wasn’t killed.

Santos’ lawyer Rameses Villagonzalo said his clients were not liable.

“We admit the claims of the victim’s family but not  the liability of the accused. The Pique family suffered damages due to the death of Ellah Joy. But both our clients are innocent. We should not be made to pay for the amounts,” he said.

Villagonzalo is also the lawyer for  British national Ian Charles Griffiths who remains at large.

The prosecution has one more witness to present before Regional Trial Court Judge Ester Veloso of Branch 6.

Villagonzalo said the defense may seek the dismissal of the case after the prosecution  finishes presenting all their witnesses.

“The case of the prosecution is very weak. They failed to prove that our clients were the author of Ellah Joy’s kidnapping,” he told reporters after the hearing yesterday.

In response to Villagonzalo’s statement, Abarientos said it’s up to the court to determine whether or not the evidence  presented was  weak.

“We respect their (defense) opinion. (But) our witnesses positively identified  the accused.  We are confident (of our case),” she said.

Abarientos said the prosecution will be presenting at least nine witnesses.

The next hearing is scheduled on April 29.

Santos and her partner Griffiths are facing charges of kidnapping with homicide for Ellah Joy’s death on Feb. 8, 2011.

The school girl disappeared after she was seen accepting a ride on a Pajero as she walked home from school. /Ador Vincent Mayol, Reporter