Palace on Zaldy’s state witness bid: ‘No deal’ By Virgilio J. Bugaoisan 07/15/2011

LACIERDA, ROBREDO HIT FOR MEDDLING IN MASSACRE CASE

Palace on Zaldy’s state witness bid: ‘No deal’

By Virgilio J. Bugaoisan 07/15/2011

The Palace flatly rejected the offer of former Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) Gov. Rizaldy “Zaldy” Ampatuan, one of the prime suspects in the Maguindanao massacre that happened in 2009, to turn state witness after Palace officials faced outrage from families of the victims over suggestions that President Aquino is considering the offer.

Justice Secretary Leila de Lima, at a Palace briefing, said the Department of Justice (DoJ) position in rejecting Zaldy Ampatuan as a state witness in the case stands which got the support of the Palace. De Lima, nevertheless, said the government can consider Zaldy as state witness in cases other than the massacre charges such as allegations of fraud in the 2004 elections and the plunder and tax evasion cases filed against the Ampatuans.

“There is no offer and even if there is an offer right now,it will not be in accordance with the Witness Protection Program,” de Lima added. She said Zaldy needed to admit guilt which he has not done while insisting that he did not take part in the planning of the massacre..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20110715hed1.html