'Subpoena GMA to clarify Saliao testimony'

MANILA, Philippines - The “smoking gun” testimony of a witness before the Quezon City Regional Trial Court on Wednesday further strengthened calls to subpoena President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to clarify her relationship with the Ampatuan family.

In an interview with radio DZMM, lawyer Harry Roque, Jr. said the families of the victims would want to be clarified of Arroyo’s links to the Maguindanao massacre case.

Lakmudin Saliao, a former trusted aide of the Ampatuan family, revealed that former Maguindanao Governor Andal Ampatuan, Jr. only agreed to surrender his son and namesake to authorities after getting assurances he will be put “under the care” of the then president.

The landmark trial began on Wednesday (September 8), with the prosecution team presenting Saliao as its first witness.

Saliao directly linked Andal Jr. to the planning and execution of the killings last November 23, 2009.

Roque, a private prosecutor representing the families of several of the victims, said: “Bakit sasabihin ng mga Ampatuan ang ganitong mga bagay na seryosong-seryoso? Lumalabas na presidente pa ang gumawa ng paraan para mabaluktot ang mga batas at criminal case procedures.”

(Why would the Ampatuans say something serious as that? It appears that the president herself was willing to bend the laws.)

He said the families have already asked Branch 221 Judge Jocelyn Solis-Reyes during the pre-trial to subpoena the former president as a “hostile witness.”

Immunity

Roque, however, fears that Arroyo may invoke her immunity to escape responsibility.

In case the court does call for Arroyo, a legal issue may arise, he said.

As the Pampanga 2nd District Representative, Arroyo has parliamentary immunity from arrest, he explained.

“Legal issue ito e, nakaupo na siya sa Kongreso,” Roque said.

He said it would be best however if she testifies in order to debunk rumors that she did have a different relationship with the Ampatuans, albeit suspect.

Saliao testimony strong

He dismissed the defense team’s accusations that Saliao’s testimony was “well-rehearsed.”

He said Saliao would not testify, under oath, if his story is a mere lie.

“Kahit gaano ka ka-loyal, mahirap sikmurain yung nangyari,” he said.

Roque said there are other witnesses who would corroborate Saliao’s statements.

Meanwhile, the lawyer asked public prosecutors to file a petition before the Supreme Court to make Solis-Reyes’ court a special court in order to hasten the procedures.

This way, Solis Reyes will only focus on this one particular case, he said.

It is expected that the trial will take years.

Both the prosecution and defense want to present some 500 witnesses, combined.

Saliao will again take the witness stand on September 15. He will also be cross-examined by the defense team.




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