THE EVIDENCE ON HARRY ROQUE IN THE ACCUSATION OF BRIBERY And so we examine the records and evidence proving that Harry Roque received P10 million and a car to sell out his clients and presumably help the Ampatuans escape criminal liability. 1. A few days after the Ampatuan massacre, Harry Roque personally led an independent investigation in the very scene of the massacre in Ampatuan town, Maguindanao province, bringing with him 3 of his lawyers, and engaging the services of a South American forensic expert, and a British investigator. The Roque-led group of six joined then CHR Chair Leila De Lima. As a result of this independent investigation made after the police had completed theirs, the dentures of the 58th victim – Reynaldo Momay – were found even if his body has never been recovered to this day. Roque subsequently caused the filing of the 58th charge of murder against the Ampatuans, a move opposed even by Private Prosecutor Nena Santos. For his efforts in increasing the number of murder charges against the Ampatuans from 57 to 58, we are being made to believe that the Ampatuans rewarded Roque with P10 million and a car. 2. Roque represents 15 victims in the massacre trial, and he has rushed to complete -- as in fact he has months ago completed -- the presentation of the full testimonies of all the family members of the 15 victims. The testimonies of Roque’s 15 clients pointing accusatory fingers at the Ampatuans can no longer be taken back because they are now part of the case records. For his efforts in expediting the completion of the full testimonies of all his clients --- and leaving no room for the Ampatuans to “convince” his clients to withhold their testimonies --- we are being made to believe that the Ampatuans rewarded Roque with P10 million and a car. 3. While the murder trial was on going, Roque found out that the ____ policemen and paramilitary personnel who assisted the Ampatuans in committing the massacre had not been suspended from their positions and were still presumably enjoying the perks of their ranks and offices even if they were already charged in the murder trial. Appalled, Roque initiated the filing of administrative cases against the police officers in the NAPOLCOM to have them all dismissed from service. This was opposed even by Prosecutor Nena Santos. Roque caused the NAPOLCOM trial to be completed ____ months of trial, and the case now has been awaiting decision from the NAPOLCOM since _____. For his efforts in making the police and paramilitary officers answerable for acting as co-conspirators/accomplices of the Ampatuans, we are being made to believe that the Ampatuans rewarded Roque with P10 million and a car. 4. It has been widely considered that the Ampatuans became drunk with power because they were pampered and were made to believe they were untouchable during the reign of Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. After Gloria Arroyo stepped down from power, Roque caused the filing of a damage suit against Arroyo in behalf of the Ampatuan massacre victims. For his efforts in making accountable the President who was a long-time close ally of the Ampatuans, we are being made to believe that the Ampatuans rewarded Roque with P10 million and a car. 5. Roque had long demanded that the Anti-Money Laundering Authority freeze the assets of the Ampatuans. When the AMLA refused to take action, Roque filed a criminal complaint against the AMLA officers. The AMLA eventually but belatedly moved to freeze the assets of the Ampatuans. For his efforts in helping cause the AMLA to freeze the assets of the Ampatuans, we are being made to believe that that the Ampatuans rewarded Roque with P10 million and a car. 6. Roque had been very vocal in the media discussing the crimes committed by the Ampatuans. He has been speaking in the local and international media, and even in international conferences. As a result, the Ampatuans and their cohorts have filed at least 4 criminal cases for contempt and libel against Roque, and all these cases remain pending. Some of these cases were even filed in Maguindanao. After accusing Roque in multiple criminal cases for contempt and libel, we are being made to believe that the Ampatuans still rewarded Roque with P10 million and a car. 7. When Roque felt that the court cases against the Ampatuans were taking so long and had incurred prolonged delay, he caused the filing of a complaint before the ASEAN Inter-Governmental Committee on Human Rights. Together with several of his clients, Roque went to Jakarata, Indonesia where he led a rally in front of the ASEAN IGCHR, joined by human rights organizations in Indonesia. For his efforts in drumming up attention in the international arena on the heinous crimes committed by the Ampatuans, we are being made to believe that the Ampatuans still rewarded Roque with P10 million and a car. 8. Roque felt that even the complaint he filed in the ASEAN Committee on Human Rights was not being given due consideration. Consequently, he caused the filing of a complaint with the United Nations Human Rights Committee (UNHRC) with respect to the Ampatuan massacre. For his efforts in raising awareness and attempt to obtain recourse in the international arean on the Ampatuan massacre, we are being made to believe that the Ampatuans still rewarded Roque with P10 million and a car. 9. Roque believed that the massacre could have been prevented if the military officers in charge of the area had granted the request and pleas of the victims for a military escort. Roque found out that an AFP Military General and a Military Major refused to provide security to the ill-fated convoy notwithstanding advance information of threats to the convoy. As a result, Roque filed a criminal case against the military officers for their dereliction of duty. For his efforts at exacting criminal accountability against military officers who – by their action or inaction -- allowed the Ampatuans to commit their dastardly crimes, we are being made to believe that the Ampatuans still rewarded Roque with P10 million and a car. 10. Private Prosecutor Nena Santos restrictively participates in the trial involving the 57 murder victims. She has not personally presented a single witness during the trial. In contrast, and in addition to his participation in the trial of the 57 murder victims, Roque has initiated, sued, and actively participates in more than 20 additional cases/proceedings involving the Ampatuan massacre. These additional cases cost the Ampatuans and their cohorts substantial lawyers expenses and expose them to additional liabilities. For his efforts in causing the Ampatuans and their cohorts to bear the burden of 20 additional cases, we are being made to believe that the Ampatuans still rewarded Roque with P10 million and a car. 11. Roque wanted live TV and radio coverage for the Ampatuan trial because, among others, he believed that the public is entitled to see the conduct and demeanor, and examine the competence of the Presiding Judge, the Prosecutors, the Defense Counsels, the witnesses and the accused during the trials. Accordingly, he filed a Petition with the Supreme Court to allow live media coverage for the Ampatuan trial. Unfortunately, the Supreme Court did not favor live media coverage. Nena Santos claims that 300 million was offered to her as bribe, and, via her informant, P10 million was offered to Roque. If live media coverage were allowed and the public was given the opportunity to view the contrasting competence and demeanor of Nena Santos vis-a-viz Harry Roque, the public would have come to the conclusion that the bribe-givers are not only a murderous lot, but bungling idiots in apportioning 300 million to one and a measly 10 million to another. Unless of course the 300 million was offered in Vietnamese Dong and the 10 million offered in British pounds. Just to illustrate by example. During the preliminary investigation of the main case, Nena Santos stood up and moved that the panel of DOJ prosecutors issue warrants of arrest against the respondents. Any first year law student present at that time would have laughed uncontrollably and suffered a heart attack because it is so basic and elementary that PROSECUTORS DO NOT HAVE THE POWER TO ISSUE WARRANTS OF ARREST. ONLY JUDGES CAN ISSUE WARRANTS OF ARREST. All the above pieces of evidence are contained in public records and available for anyone who cares to see. The above pieces of evidence do not hide under sunglass-covered “informants” peddling handwritten “notebooks” whose nature and contents are easily fabricated, and brazenly useless except for those who wish to help the Ampatuans destroy the prosecution and obtain acquittal in the most brazen massacre committed in the history of the country. JOEL RUIZ BUTUYAN ROQUE & BUTUYAN LAW OFFICES Antel Corporate Center 19th Floor Unit 1904 121 Valero St. Salcedo Village, Makati City 1227 Philippines Tel. Nos. (632)8874445; (632)8873894 Fax No. (632)8873893 roquebutuyan
Posted on: Thu, 14 Aug 2014 03:46:36 +0000
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