Trial and conviction by publicity FRONTLINE Ninez Cacho-Olivares 12/19/2009

Trial and conviction by publicity FRONTLINE Ninez Cacho-Olivares 12/19/2009 Trial and conviction by publicity are to be abhorred, yet this almost always happens in the Philippines. And because this country is much too small, such a cause celebre trial, attended by so much media publicity, can hardly be transferred to a more neutral trial site nor would public opinion and influence be far behind in determing the legal guilt or innocence of the accused in a court of law. In addition, in this country, with so many influential and powerful persons, in and out of government, plus their goons, it’s either the judge and his family are threatened or killed, or judges are paid off for an acquittal of the suspects. This is hardly in defense of the Ampatuans.... MORE Source:  The Daily Tribune ALTERNATE URL: http://www.classicposters.com/commentary/20091219com2.html

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