De Lima to victims’ families: Resist Ampatuan settlement

Ace Tamayo

This is AI generated summarization, which may have errors. For context, always refer to the full article.

De Lima says it would 'both legally and morally wrong' to settle with those responsible for the most heinous crime in Philippine history.

DON’T SETTLE. Justice Secretary Leila De Lima says it would be “both legally and morally wrong” to settle with those responsible for the most heinous crime in Philippine history. FILE/AFP PHOTO / Jay DIRECTO

MANILA, Philippines – Justice Secretary Leila De Lima said on Tuesday, June 25, that it would be “both legally and morally wrong” for the families of the victims of the Maguindanao massacre to settle with those responsible for the most heinous crime in Philippine history.

In a text message, De Lima said the families of the victims should “resist temptations for monetary settlement.”

“The Maguindanao massacre case is more than the private interests of the victims and their families but one which is imbued with deep public interest. It cannot and should not be bargained away for any amount of money,” De Lima stressed.

De Lima’s statements came after lawyer Harry Roque told the media at least 14 of the victims of the Maguindanao massacre were offered settlements by the main respondents in exchange for identifying Maguindanao Gov Esmael Mangudadatu as the culprit.

Roque said a negotiator who is close to the Ampatuans reportedly obtained an authority to negotiate from the 14 families who were also made to sign several documents in exchange for a P50 million (US$1.2 million) settlement.

Read: Don’t be swayed by Ampatuans, victim’s daughter says

But De Lima said the Department of Justice (DOJ) prosecutors will “never support such moves.” 

Not binding

De Lima said “any waiver or desistance to be executed by the victims’ families at this point will not be binding on the court.”

She explained, “any compromise in a criminal case can only affect the civil liability but not the criminal liability of the accused.” 

“Any waiver of criminal liability is against public policy, hence, null and void. The only exceptions are in the prosecution of the crimes of adultery, concubinage, seduction, abduction, rape and acts of lasciviousness where pardon by the offended party precludes prosecution thereof,” De Lima said.

De Lima added she “fully understands the impatience and/or restlessness on the part of the victims’ families vis-a-vis the pace of the trial.” But even though the proceedings are slow, De Lima said, it continues to “move and progress.” – Rappler.com

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