Republic of the Philippines - Campaign
Republic of the Philippines - Campaign
Republic of the Philippines - Campaign
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APPELLANTS’ BRIEF<br />
People <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Philippines</strong> vs. Fortuna, et. al.<br />
S. C. G. R. No. 141660-64<br />
7. several police investigation reports showing <strong>the</strong> ABB angle in <strong>the</strong> Abadilla, Ty<br />
and de Dios killings (and possibly in still unavailable police and military<br />
intelligence reports)<br />
Relevant to all <strong>the</strong>se is <strong>the</strong> Supreme Court Decision in <strong>the</strong> case <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> ambush-<br />
killing <strong>of</strong> U.S. Col. James N. Rowe, People vs. Continente and Itaas (G.R. Nos. 100801-<br />
02, August 25, 2000) where for <strong>the</strong> first time <strong>the</strong>re is judicial notice <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> ABB. In <strong>the</strong><br />
case at bar, one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> indications <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> ABB angle submitted was <strong>the</strong> Philippine Army<br />
Commanding General’s Press Statement in October 1997 attributing to <strong>the</strong> ABB both <strong>the</strong><br />
Rowe and Abadilla killings, among o<strong>the</strong>rs (see Annex 3 <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> accused Lumanog’s<br />
“Supplement to <strong>the</strong> Motion for Reconsideration” dated 25 November 1999 in <strong>the</strong> RTC).<br />
As for <strong>the</strong> news reports, <strong>the</strong>se are not entirely worthless as “hearsay evidence”.<br />
These can also be considered as basis for “judicial notice <strong>of</strong> matters which are <strong>of</strong> public<br />
knowledge” (Rules <strong>of</strong> Court, Rule 129, Sec. 2). And as leads to secure witnesses and<br />
o<strong>the</strong>r evidence, including by a compulsory process. For example, <strong>the</strong> news report<br />
featuring <strong>the</strong> June 27, 1996 interview <strong>of</strong> ABB head Sergio Romero by <strong>the</strong>n Skycable<br />
News Manager David Celdran wherein Romero reiterated ABB responsibility for <strong>the</strong><br />
Abadilla killing and exonerated <strong>the</strong> accused (Annex 6 <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> abovesaid Memorandum)<br />
was a lead for <strong>the</strong> subpoena, if necessary, <strong>of</strong> Celdran to testify <strong>the</strong>reon if introduction <strong>of</strong><br />
additional evidence were to be allowed.<br />
At this juncture, we have to make reference to <strong>the</strong> Supreme Court en banc<br />
Decision <strong>of</strong> March 2, 2001 in Estrada vs. Desierto, et al. (G.R. Nos. 146710-15) and<br />
Estrada vs. Macapagal-Arroyo (G.R. No. 146738) upholding <strong>the</strong> constitutionality <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
assumption to <strong>of</strong>fice <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> new President, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. Of 135 footnotes<br />
in <strong>the</strong> Decision, 40 (30 percent) were taken from <strong>the</strong> Philippine Daily Inquirer, 12 (9<br />
percent) from <strong>the</strong> Philippine Star, 2 (1 percent) from <strong>the</strong> Manila Bulletin, and 1 (0.7<br />
percent) from <strong>the</strong> Manila Standard. No less than <strong>the</strong> Supreme Court has relied on<br />
newspapers when <strong>the</strong> life <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> nation was at stake. (In <strong>the</strong> case at bar, it is <strong>the</strong> lives <strong>of</strong><br />
five men at stake.)<br />
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