Duterte ‘dismayed’ Ampatuan allowed to attend daughter’s wedding—Palace

Updated (9:20 p.m.)

President Rodrigo Duterte is “dismayed” that the court allowed Maguindanao massacre suspect Zaldy Ampatuan to attend his eldest daughter’s wedding.

The Quezon City Regional Trial Court has allowed Ampatuan to attend his daughter’s wedding at the the Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila on August 21.

He is currently detained at the Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City.

“[T]he panel of the prosecutors and the President oppose that motion, and we’re dismayed that it was granted. That’s the official stand,” Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said in a Palace briefing.

LOOK: Court order allowing Zaldy Ampatuan to attend daughter’s wedding

But Roque assured the public that the decision of the court would not affect the case of Ampatuan.

“I don’t think there’s an implication. I can assure you, this will not affect the case. And I think you know why I can give that assurance,” he said.

Ampatuan is facing murder charges for the death of 58 individuals, including 32 journalists, in the Maguindanao massacre in 2009.

High-ranking government officials were invited to the event as godparents.

Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea said he was asked to be a godparent, but he wasn’t able to attend the ceremonies due to a “prior engagement.”

“Yes, I was asked to be a godparent of the couple but I had to graciously excuse myself from attending because of prior engagement,” Medialdea said in a text message.

Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio confirmed that she received an invitation but was not able to make it to the wedding. 

“We received an invitation but I was not able to attend the reception,” she said in a text message.

Peace Secretary Jesus Dureza, who was on the list of godparents, said he was not present during the wedding.

“I was in Davao [for] events,” Dureza said.

Special Assisatant to the President Christopher “Bong” Go, who was also listed as a godparent, said he did not receive an invitation.

“Usual practice di nagpapaalam. Nilalagay name niyo kahit di kayo nag OK (It’s the usual practice. They put your name as godparent even without you saying it’s OK)” Go said./je