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Justice in God’s Time, Lauro Vizconde

““Real justice will not come from a human court, only from God.” says Bishop Aniceto Arigo

lauro-vizconde-in-tears
My heart goes out to Lauro Vizconde. He broke down as the the Supreme Court decision was read. Why wouldn’t he feel devastated? He lost his family 19 years ago. Justice is all he wanted. As a mother of a young kids in 1991, I was so worried that a crazed killer might just be lurking around. My kids are adults now and they still remember the bloody murders.

But this is the Supreme Court giving the decision. Voting 7-4, the high court ordered Webb’s release due to inconsistencies in the testimony of star witness Jessica Alfaro and the failure of the prosecution to prove the guilt of the accused beyond reasonable doubt.

It does not help that Freddie Webb is spewing out insensitive remarks to Lauro Vizconde, ” Instead of being aggrieved, maybe he should be happy that an innocent person is coming out of jail”. It is a joyous occasion for Freddie Webb but why would I expect Lauro to be happy? He was seeking justice for the death of his family members. Think it is easy to accept the decision, if justice has not been served. Think if your family was wiped out. The traumatic and savage circumstances surrounding the murder creates these unbearable waves of emotion. Then Freddie is just feeling relief that his son has finally been released after 15 years. The Webbs are also victims of the justice system.

What is justice anyway? Justice is the firm and continuous desire to render to everyone that which is his due. The Webbs got their justice. Lauro Vizconde is still seeking it. There is no justice.

Justice over the deaths in the Vizconde family has not been realized yet. In time, God will reveal his plan. In HIS time. Maybe Lauro will not get the justice here on Earth. I have faith that justice will be served in HIS time. Faith is all Lauro needs right now even if justice seems bleak.

My friend, Cathy feels the same way I do, “Prayers now for tolerance, wisdom and kindness. Joy for Webb et al but also strength and kindness for Mang Lauro who was mired in grief for 19 years. The verdict is like a second death. But to be wrapped once more in vengeance would be like a second prison too. Divine justice, in His time.”

““The Supreme Court is not the last court. We have what we call divine justice because … our capability as human beings is limited.”

Indeed, the Supreme Court found Webb et al. ““legally innocent,” but they have no way of determining their ““moral guilt or innocence.” The Supreme Court is just human and can only establish legal guilt. Moral guilt is beyond its competence. It is only God who has a say on one’s moral guilt.

Here are the Supreme Court documents:

here is the concurring opinion from J. Carpio Morales

http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2010/december2010/176389_carpio-morales.htm

supplemental opinion

dissenting opinion

separate concurring opinion

http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2010/december2010/176389_sereno.htm

Supreme Court Decision on Webb Et Al Re Vizconde Massacre

19 thoughts on “Justice in God’s Time, Lauro Vizconde”

      1. I skimmed thru the attachment of the SC decision in your blog.. and this is what i think:

        1. Quality of witness – “working for the NBI as an “asset,” a stool pigeon, one who earned her living by fraternizing with criminals so she could squeal on them to her NBI handlers. She had to live a life of lies to get rewards that would pay for her subsistence and vices.”
        My contention – Would telling a lie against persons who are sons of prominent, wealthy, and powerful people not enough to scare someone out of their wits? And if doing so, even as an asset ( following the defense’s argument ), where can I find belief that I can live safe and secure in my home to enjoy the bribe or rewards. Unless there is really something truthful or honest, Alfaro or any other asset or person would not want to risk telling a lie most especially if telling a lie would amount to certain life imprisonment for the accused or destroying names of prominent and powerful families who would surely not rest but take revenge in court or elsewhere.
        2. Conversation of Atty Sacaguing and Alfaro – Alfaro promised to bring a witness who knows the details of the massacre. And then failed because the man decided not to. Alfaro later on said that she will take the place of the witness instead.
        My Contention – Alfaro confirmed the story. Does that prove that Alfaro can not be a witness? Depending on how you twist the story. But if taken simply, No. From the conversation I can deduce something like this: Both Alfaro and the Man have seen the crime. Alfaro decides not to get involved probably for fear of her life ( most obvious ). She would rather have the Man take the witness stand and squeal. Who would naturally want to squeal? If there is somebody else, then let him do it. In the end, the Man decides not to become a witness. Alfaro changes her mind and risk it all for truth. Thus debunking the theory that Alfaro was not a witness by virtue of this conversation.
        3. The mystery of the smashed door – Alfaro claims that Web picked up a stone and hurled it. Defence said that it made no sense that Web would do such as it would attract attention.
        My Contention – Ordinarily, that would have been the easier course to take. Why? I’d feign robbery and in doing so create an entry by smashing a front glass door. Since its past midnight, nobody else would really notice it except the people living in the Vizconde house. But they are dead already. If there were no forced entry, then it would easily lend to the idea that it was done by someone who knows his way around or knows the inhabitants as well. And Web et al would be easy suspect especially since Carmella seems to be the most sociable among the 3.
        4. The mystery of the ransack house – Alfaro recounts that Ventura rummage a bag on a table looking for the front door key and car key, and thereby spilling the contents. Defense says this does not make sense and was only to done to fit in with the crime scene event.
        My Contention – Ordinarily, it would not be the burden for Alfaro to know everything that the Ventura is doing or would do for that matter. It is only for Alfaro to recount what she actually sees and then have this proven based on the crime scene as it is seen by the investigators to corroborate her testimony. But then again, trying to make sense on Ventura’s actions. I would gather all the girl’s bodies and all evidences and put them in their own ( Vizconde’s ) car. I can then easily exit out of the gate’s subdivision even with window’s closed since ( assuming its tinted ) the car belongs to the Vizconde ( the natural reaction of the guard is that the Vizconde’s are going someplace and rather a normal event ). Outside the subdivision I can dispose of the bodies and create an illusion of an accident or murder but interestingly putting some distance from suspects that could easily be trailed back to familiar faces. What about the front door keys. Why get hold of it? If the front door keys were not found in the house, this would mean that the Vizconde’s had left the house for who else can have possession of the front door keys except the owners. Thus providing reason for Ventura’s actions to deflect the crime away from them.
        5. The mystery of the loosened bulb in the garage – Alfaro said that Ventura purposely loosened the bulb to hide them in darkness. Defense said that this does not make sense because Web et al have no business in the garage in the first place and thus an unnecessary act and would in fact invite suspicion if anybody sees them.
        My Contention – If I am looking for the car keys, I would naturally would like to use the car of the Vizconde and what better way to get rid of the light from the garage. The question worth establishing was which one was first – the loosening of the bulb or the killing. If it was before then Web et al intended to bring Carmela out in the garage to talk or whatever and at least some distance away not to awaken the other inhabitants of the house. If it was after, then it was to remove the bodies and put them in the car and dispose of it easily.
        6. Defence said that Alfaro had taken too much drugs to make sense of what was happening or to remember anything. Thus making most, if not entirely, all her testimony made up.
        My Contention – Unlikely. If defence accepts the fact the she can drive to and fro Vizconde’s house and trail Carmella sometime before, then that means that there is no question that the drug ingested was not enough to keep them from making sensible decisions and recall.
        7. Defence said that Alfaro had taken upon herself to lead Web et al to Carmella’s house when she was , in fact, a complete stranger and have heard Web mentioned that they are goin to gang-rape her, and thus made no sense.
        My Contention – If someone tells you that he’s gonna kill someone and thus wants you to lead him to his house. Given the very circumstances as the case provides, even exaggerating it a bit, would you altogether believe him? Of course not. These people were not killers in the first place. So Alfaro in this frame of mind lead Web to Carmella. More for the fun of it I suppose considering that there will be some lover’s quarrel and anything quite interesting as this. But not anything violent that will eventually play out later.

        In sum, i think its an unpopular decision and is heavy with bias for the accused. The points raised by the defence can be easily deflected. Proving the ‘alibis’ of not being in Philippines is obviously difficult.
        Please post also villarama’s dissent.

            1. precisely the point . . . . . . . . . . you got it girl . . . EXPERTS IN EVIDENCE, LOOKED AT EVERY ANGLE ! SORRY, I DO NOT WANT TO OFFEND YOU OR WHATSOEVER BUT I TRULY HATE YOUR COMMENT. kaya nga tinaon nilang ilabas ang resulta to the point where lauro vizconde can no longer appeal at lumabas pang bida sila at malinis. You don’t need an expert on this one girl. What is TERRIBLY needed at his point of time ng justice system natin eh mga taong may KONSENSYA para magamit ang talino sa tama. Hindi tanga ang mga Pilipino para di malaman kung anu na ang nangyayari. Sa lahat ng salarin, lalu na yung nagtago, MAY GOD BE WITH THEM !

              1. Bheng… ok, as a teen when this happened, I merely saw what everyone else saw. What media pointed out. What was ‘allowed’ for everyone else to see.

                But as an adult, and a non-expert like you, I am neither stupid nor blind. So I shall take your lead! Let’s have a look see. You merely have to look at the evidence. Solid evidence at that.

                I say, take another look.

                Take a look at the crime scene photos. Do you see pools of blood? No. No pool of blood under C and E. No blood splatters on the wall. I would think that 2 adults getting stabbed more than 17x would lose a lot of blood, diba? And why were the sheets in place? If you were fighting for your life, you’d grasp at anything to keep yourself safe. The room had no signs of disarray.

                Take a look at the accusation that the Webbs instructed Biong to destroy the evidence. The court took into record a testimony made by the bro-in-law of the deceased, who admitted he was the one who ordered the sheets be burned. And yet, the public was made to think otherwise. That it was the Webbs who ordered the destruction of all evidence.

                Take a look at the Note Verbale from the US Government. Was it addressed to the defense? No. It was addressed to Guingona and Mison, both with the prosecution. The request for FBI Certification was done by our government, and they didn’t even present it to the court when they received it (they HID it in fact!), and the defense had to subpoena for it when the prosecution was asked about efforts to verify Webb’s alibi. How do you fake that?

                Take a look at the RTC Court Proceedings. Was it mentioned that the passport wasn’t presented? No. Did it say that the logbook got lost? No. They were BOTH presented and accepted in court as evidence. In fact, in recent news, PAO Chief Acosta claims that the original passport was never presented in court, and yet, there is actually trial coverage and photos that show her beside the late Senator Cayetano, who was perusing over Hubert Webb’s passport.

                Take a look at how Tony Boy Lejano became a suspect. Was he originally named as suspect by Alfaro? No. In her first statement, she never mentions Lejano. Tony Boy merely visited his friend Michael Gatchalian in jail to vouch for his alibi. The next day, he was named a suspect. Imagine, being with a friend you know to be innocent of a crime. You are willing to help him out. So you go to the police to vouch for his alibi, and the next thing you know, you are suspect to the same crime. How convenient!

                Bheng, there are over 100 testimonies and pieces of evidence JUNKED by then Judge Tolentino. Pieces of evidence and testimony hidden from the public eye. For what reason, only she can answer, but I hope you take time to read proceedings and look at what the defense has. Hubert was in jail for 15 years and 4 months. I am guessing if his father really had the influence and money to get him out, he would not have allowed his son to take one step inside prison in the first place. It is elementary. It is common sense.

                ~~~

                Let me just say, however, that I also seek true justice for the 3 Vizcondes that passed. That’s 3 lives lost. Nevertheless, let us all be reminded that true justice isn’t achieved by putting the wrong people – INNOCENT people – in jail. I pray that the Lord gives us the wisdom we need to comprehend, humility to open our hearts and minds to accept the truth, and courage to see through what others have conspired for us to believe.

              2. Bheng… ok, as a teen when this happened, I merely saw what everyone else saw. What media pointed out. What was ‘allowed’ for everyone else to see.

                But as an adult, and a non-expert like you, I am neither stupid nor blind. So I shall take your lead! Let’s have a look see. You merely have to look at the evidence. Solid evidence at that.

                I say, take another look.

                Take a look at the crime scene photos. Do you see pools of blood? No. No pool of blood under C and E. No blood splatters on the wall. I would think that 2 adults getting stabbed more than 17x would lose a lot of blood, diba? And why were the sheets in place? If you were fighting for your life, you’d grasp at anything to keep yourself safe. The room had no signs of disarray.

                Take a look at the accusation that the Webbs instructed Biong to destroy the evidence. The court took into record a testimony made by the bro-in-law of the deceased, who admitted he was the one who ordered the sheets be burned. And yet, the public was made to think otherwise. That it was the Webbs who ordered the destruction of all evidence.

                Take a look at the Note Verbale from the US Government. Was it addressed to the defense? No. It was addressed to Guingona and Mison, both with the prosecution. The request for FBI Certification was done by our government, and they didn’t even present it to the court when they received it (they HID it in fact!), and the defense had to subpoena for it when the prosecution was asked about efforts to verify Webb’s alibi. How do you fake that?

                Take a look at the RTC Court Proceedings. Was it mentioned that the passport wasn’t presented? No. Did it say that the logbook got lost? No. They were BOTH presented and accepted in court as evidence. In fact, in recent news, PAO Chief Acosta claims that the original passport was never presented in court, and yet, there is actually trial coverage and photos that show her beside the late Senator Cayetano, who was perusing over Hubert Webb’s passport.

                Take a look at how Tony Boy Lejano became a suspect. Was he originally named as suspect by Alfaro? No. In her first statement, she never mentions Lejano. Tony Boy merely visited his friend Michael Gatchalian in jail to vouch for his alibi. The next day, he was named a suspect. Imagine, being with a friend you know to be innocent of a crime. You are willing to help him out. So you go to the police to vouch for his alibi, and the next thing you know, you are suspect to the same crime. How convenient!

                Bheng, there are over 100 testimonies and pieces of evidence JUNKED by then Judge Tolentino. Pieces of evidence and testimony hidden from the public eye. For what reason, only she can answer, but I hope you take time to read proceedings and look at what the defense has. Hubert was in jail for 15 years and 4 months. I am guessing if his father really had the influence and money to get him out, he would not have allowed his son to take one step inside prison in the first place. It is elementary. It is common sense.

                ~~~

                Let me just say, however, that I also seek true justice for the 3 Vizcondes that passed. That’s 3 lives lost. Nevertheless, let us all be reminded that true justice isn’t achieved by putting the wrong people – INNOCENT people – in jail. I pray that the Lord gives us the wisdom we need to comprehend, humility to open our hearts and minds to accept the truth, and courage to see through what others have conspired for us to believe.

              3. precisely the point . . . . . . . . . . you got it girl . . . EXPERTS IN EVIDENCE, LOOKED AT EVERY ANGLE ! SORRY, I DO NOT WANT TO OFFEND YOU OR WHATSOEVER BUT I TRULY HATE YOUR COMMENT. kaya nga tinaon nilang ilabas ang resulta to the point where lauro vizconde can no longer appeal at lumabas pang bida sila at malinis. You don’t need an expert on this one girl. What is TERRIBLY needed at his point of time ng justice system natin eh mga taong may KONSENSYA para magamit ang talino sa tama. Hindi tanga ang mga Pilipino para di malaman kung anu na ang nangyayari. Sa lahat ng salarin, lalu na yung nagtago, MAY GOD BE WITH THEM !

      2. Type your comment here.
        Noemi your opinion on how God will reveal his plan in time really struck a cord in me. After the Maguindanao Massacre, I had people telling me that the reason it happen is because God has a plan that will be revealed pretty soon. Why is it every time an injustice, catasthrophe, massacre happens, we Filipinos always invoke how God has a plan. Lagi na lang bang ganito. Kailangan natin magdusa dahil parte ito ng isang engrandeng plano. Bakit kailangan may mabiktima at masaktan para lang matupad ang plano ng diyos. Kasi kung ganoon ang kaso eh palpak na plano yun.

        1. some things happen in ways we cannot understand. Even the death of my son..the unpopular decision of the supreme court. That is why I say Justice in God’s time because we don’t know when it will happen. it doesn’t mean, we won’t fight for justice now or Lauro should give up the fight.

      3. Is Pinky Webb returning to television? If I were her, I would not return to television.
        Out of decency, she should stay away from the public’s eye. It is shameful that a television personality like her would tolerate crime and injustice.

        This is a calling for everybody to stop watching her shows. Why would I believe anything that she says? After what has happened, who would still believe her? She just lost her credibility and integrity. With that being said, I am encouraging all Filipinos to stop watching any shows related to Pinky Webb.

      4. I really feel sad especially that the case dragged on for so long, only to realize that the investigation done wasn’t enough. I just can’t believe that the case went all the way up to the Supreme Court without even realizing that the facts, the evidences aren’t enough, hence the alibi worked.

      5. Honestly and for an average filipino like me, sa tingin ko, matagal ng planado ang lahat ng nangyari from the very point kung saan sinunog ang ebidensya. Mr. Vizconde, my sympathy to you at sa mga nagmamaang-maangan, at nagbabait-baitang mga salarin, lagi nyo tong tatandaan because this is a simple reality . . . HINDI NATUTULOG ANG PANGINOON. sana huwag mangyari sa pamilya nyo ang nangyari kay Mr. Vizconde. Alalahanin nyo marami pang generation ang tatakbuhin ng pamilya nyo hanggang kaapuapuhan. And to you Mr. Vizconde, please go on and enjoy what is left with your life. Your family, your wife and 2 daughters, are very happy for what you have already done. MAY GOD BE, NOT SO MUCH WITH YOU SIR BUT MORE WITH THOSE FILTY CRIMINALS ON THEIR JUDGEMENT DAY. AMEN ! IN JESUS NAME !

      6. Honestly and for an average filipino like me, sa tingin ko, matagal ng planado ang lahat ng nangyari from the very point kung saan sinunog ang ebidensya. Mr. Vizconde, my sympathy to you at sa mga nagmamaang-maangan, at nagbabait-baitang mga salarin, lagi nyo tong tatandaan because this is a simple reality . . . HINDI NATUTULOG ANG PANGINOON. sana huwag mangyari sa pamilya nyo ang nangyari kay Mr. Vizconde. Alalahanin nyo marami pang generation ang tatakbuhin ng pamilya nyo hanggang kaapuapuhan. And to you Mr. Vizconde, please go on and enjoy what is left with your life. Your family, your wife and 2 daughters, are very happy for what you have already done. MAY GOD BE, NOT SO MUCH WITH YOU SIR BUT MORE WITH THOSE FILTY CRIMINALS ON THEIR JUDGEMENT DAY. AMEN ! IN JESUS NAME !

      7. I know everyone feels for Mang Lauro especially when he brokedown. But did anyone really pause for a minute to think that Hubert and all were innocent. That this could have been a big victory to our justice system which would prevent law enforcers from framing our children. For years, I have feared for the future of my children that they could be wrongly accused by bogus witnesses and a conniving NBI. I would like to share the writings of a Mom who discovered the truth. Hope you find the time to read it. We have done alot of research about this case and feel free to email me if you have questions about it. (civility is requested)

        Here it goes:

        Freddie Webb is not so forgiving when it comes to people who scripted his son Hubert’s downfall, and he wants those responsible to be held accountable. I agree, for the sake of those who may find themselves in a similar predicament, that a lesson should be taught to stop unscrupulous people dead in their tracks. The fight is not over, as evidenced by recent reports of desperate legal maneuvers of those obstinate and obsessed enough, in clear conflict with the principle of Double Jeopardy, to overturn the decision of the Supreme Court.

        Today, when forensics and new technology have become the cornerstones of every criminal investigation, oftentimes aiding in a pivotal, quick, and crucial resolution to a case, no matter how complex, I wanted something with evidentiary value regarding the celebrated Vizconde ‘Massacre’ case. I’ve always maintained that testimonial evidence is not enough to base a guilty verdict on. It has to be supported by physical evidence. In my opinion, Jessica Alfaro, a witness for the prosecution, was the quintessential maleficent false witness. She was an NBI informant, a self-confessed drug addict, with a brother arrested for illegal possession of drugs. What were the circumstances of Patrick Alfaro’s departure for the United States? Did she cut a deal? This was asked by the defense during cross examination, but an RTC judge sustained the objection of the prosecution, along with so many other objections. People lie all the time, for personal and financial gain. Lying under oath is certainly not unheard of. Various motives do exist, but certain people still refuse to view this angle. What could the likes of Jessica Alfaro have to gain? There are so many theories circulating. I have no qualms speculating on that myself, and my mind is whirling. The big difference is, Jessica Alfaro is doing well in the US or Canada under the Witness Protection Program and receiving a monthly allowance, while that simple yet ruinous act of speculating, by the very people sworn to protect the innocent and uphold the law, sentenced Hubert et al to reclusion perpetua or life imprisonment. He was presumed guilty even before the trial began. The media even exploited and thrived on the poor-man-versus-rich-man angle, with the brouhaha contributing to the guilty verdict. Mr. Vizconde’s chronic mantra seemed to be, “Woe is me. I’m alone in my battle against the rich and powerful Webb.” While I empathize with Lauro Vizconde over the loss of his wife and daughters, hoping and praying like so many others that the real killers be brought to justice, his Third World histrionics, and penchant for the paranormal, not to mention his obsession and grim persistence in putting the blame on Hubert Webb et al, are rather off-putting.

        There is a stark difference between the supporters of the two camps. One is ruled by their violent emotions, bigotry, and hatred, the other side ruled by reason and calmness. One is out for blood, while the other seeks only justice. Justice for everyone, Hubert et al, and justice for Lauro Vizconde. I get the impression that the most adamant, and I’m not saying all, of Mr. Vizconde’s supporters are inciters, or at the very least, lazy when it comes to reading, or simply too stubborn and biased to accept the possibility that a judge has erred. They seem desirous of a civil war, always speaking of the wickedness of the rich and how they were oppressed by these people. Never mind the facts. Never mind a person’s innocence and the flagrant disregard for justice. Someone has to pay, and they’ve set their sights on Hubert et al. “Dapat mabulok sa kulungan. Dapat bitayin. Dapat lahat ng supporters ni Hubert ma-rape at mapatay din.” How can they say such things while speaking of God in the same breath? I will spare your sensibilities by omitting the crass and vulgar language they used to vilify the Webb name. Suffice to say, that the exhaustive capability of men to destroy another human being never fails to scare me. I only have one thing to say to them, “Judge not, lest you be judged.” In other words there is only one omniscient judge, and that is God. I’m not saying the other group is perfect, people do tend to get carried away, especially when emotions run high, but at least they have administrators who regularly call for sobriety and fairness, and at the end of the day, cooler heads prevail.

        I just do not understand why some people keep harping on the “What ifs”. What if he really did this heinous crime? What if all 142 documents submitted in court by the defense were forged? What if he did a Houdini and sneaked in and out of two countries and cleverly covered his tracks? What if his family paid or bribed all 95 witnesses who testified for him that he really was in the US? What if he has more influence than the President of the United States, the US senators, and Oprah combined, and what if the FBI, INS (now USCIS), Secretaries of State Madeleine Albright and Warren Christopher, Attorney General Janet Reno, Legal attaché to the US Embassy Robert Heafner, and all other illustrious personalities who authenticated and lent credence to Hubert’s alibi, lied for him? Do you see how absurd these speculations are? Forging documents is a federal offense and if the Webbs were guilty of it, then you can be sure that as soon as they submitted those documents in court, and it became public knowledge, then the US government would have chased them to hell and back and thrown them all in the US federal penitentiary faster than a minnow can swim a dipper. It’s appalling that Hubert, with documented evidence that he did enter the US in March of 1991 and left October of 1992, were convicted based on this, and I quote the RTC ruling: “it was not physically impossible for the accused Webb to have returned to the Philippines, perpetrate the criminal act, and travel back to the United States…” For the first time in the history of Philippine jurisprudence, without the benefit of an invalidation or rebuttal of any of the documents submitted, Judge Tolentino speculated that Hubert had superhuman capabilities of teleportation and invisibility, traveling undetected by both the US and the Philippines’ immigration officials, and made her momentous and appalling decision that shook the very foundation of our justice system. If the authenticity and veracity of the documents were not challenged, then they were admitted as true and regular by the court. This makes Hubert’s alibi a strong one and should obliterate all the bogus witnesses’ testimonies against him. Speculating on a person’s guilt, superpower, and influence is gross incompetence and irresponsible for any officer of the law to engage in, and making a decision based on it should be punishable. They have so much to answer for.

        Even with the acquittal, the irrationality of people predominates, believing Hubert et al could still be guilty because the Supreme Court did not declare them innocent. There is no “Innocent” verdict in a criminal case. You are either “Guilty” or “Not guilty.” For the SC to categorically state that Hubert is innocent would be pointing out the obvious. An accused is guaranteed the presumption of innocence to begin with. The constitution says so. Since the prosecution miserably failed to prove guilt beyond reasonable doubt, then the innocent status is further solidified. Sitting on the fence or vacillating to appease a certain group in the midst of a moral crisis is just not going to cut it. It will only amplify the divisive conflict that exists among the populace now. Of course, it can’t be avoided that some people would take advantage of the situation, and concoct a dangerous brew of discord and political turmoil, in order to get some sort of mileage.

        So why the acquittal? Precisely because the burden of proof always rests on the prosecution, not on the defense. It is their job to prove beyond reasonable doubt a person’s guilt. It is dangerous and immoral to convict an innocent man, primarily because his life and liberty are at stake, hence that high standard of proof. I am not a lawyer, but this is so elementary. You can’t convict when there’s a scintilla, much more a billow of doubt lingering in the air. You have to prove to a moral certainty that a person really did the crime. Can your conscience allow you to sleep if you sent an innocent man to his death, or condemned him to a lifetime behind bars? Apparently, the likes of Jessica Alfaro could.

        The most absurd of all the comments I came across was, “If not Hubert, then who? The Webbs should have looked for the real perpetrators to absolve Hubert of the crime.” It is not for the Webbs to catch the real criminals, we have agencies for that, and we, as a nation should be concerned that the right people get punished this time. If there is no lead, then it becomes a cold case. But it is high time to end the persecution and harassment of Hubert et al. They suffered 15 long years and four months of prison time, and they were innocent. It was insane for Mr. Vizconde to claim that justice was denied him when the Supreme Court acquitted Hubert et al. He was not the one wrongfully accused and jailed. He would take a step closer in finding real justice the moment he accepts the fact that Hubert Webb is truly and unequivocally innocent.

        It is also high time the defense rests, turn the tables on all those responsible for that travesty of justice and put them on the defensive. It is time to ask relevant and intelligent questions. Let’s start with Jessica Alfaro because if you think about it, it was just her word against all the accused, not to mention their upstanding and credible witnesses, because she was the only one who claimed to have witnessed the crime. The rest was circumstantial. Now that the SC has determined that the RTC and CA were so biased and unreasonable, when they willfully elevated a shameless opportunist and consummate liar into the “perfect witness,” and rejected a huge amount of evidence the defense presented, leaving an alibi of being on another planet the only alibi worth considering, then nobody should have to explain further why Hubert is innocent. When Supreme Court justices start injecting sarcasm into their decision, then it’s a sign that they are exasperated beyond belief about the ineptitude, arrogance, and imprudence of the lower courts and investigating bodies. In other words, forcing the issue of this Webb conspiracy constitutes lunacy because it’s stupid and pointless.

        The nature of the crime speaks volumes. It was cold-blooded, heinous, and filled with hate. Multiple stab wounds? Overkill. Look at all the angles. Look for motives. Who stood to gain the most? Family members should not be excluded. Who ordered the burning of the evidence? Wasn’t it a relative of the victims? Was it a revenge kill? Who framed Hubert Webb and the others? Was it politically motivated? Investigators should also take a second look at the construction workers and the Akyat Bahay gang, the first and second batches of suspects they arrested.

        The sad part is, so much time has been lost with not much physical evidence to go on, I’m afraid this is bound to become a cold case. That semen sample, if it surfaces, is worthless, because of the broken chain of evidence. More importantly, any other witness against those acquitted, who hibernated and will suddenly crop up out of nowhere, should be viewed as highly suspect and desperate. Just give it a rest and move on to other suspects already, before the statute of limitations for this case runs out.

        .

      8. I know everyone feels for Mang Lauro especially when he brokedown. But did anyone really pause for a minute to think that Hubert and all were innocent. That this could have been a big victory to our justice system which would prevent law enforcers from framing our children. For years, I have feared for the future of my children that they could be wrongly accused by bogus witnesses and a conniving NBI. I would like to share the writings of a Mom who discovered the truth. Hope you find the time to read it. We have done alot of research about this case and feel free to email me if you have questions about it. (civility is requested)

        Here it goes:

        Freddie Webb is not so forgiving when it comes to people who scripted his son Hubert’s downfall, and he wants those responsible to be held accountable. I agree, for the sake of those who may find themselves in a similar predicament, that a lesson should be taught to stop unscrupulous people dead in their tracks. The fight is not over, as evidenced by recent reports of desperate legal maneuvers of those obstinate and obsessed enough, in clear conflict with the principle of Double Jeopardy, to overturn the decision of the Supreme Court.

        Today, when forensics and new technology have become the cornerstones of every criminal investigation, oftentimes aiding in a pivotal, quick, and crucial resolution to a case, no matter how complex, I wanted something with evidentiary value regarding the celebrated Vizconde ‘Massacre’ case. I’ve always maintained that testimonial evidence is not enough to base a guilty verdict on. It has to be supported by physical evidence. In my opinion, Jessica Alfaro, a witness for the prosecution, was the quintessential maleficent false witness. She was an NBI informant, a self-confessed drug addict, with a brother arrested for illegal possession of drugs. What were the circumstances of Patrick Alfaro’s departure for the United States? Did she cut a deal? This was asked by the defense during cross examination, but an RTC judge sustained the objection of the prosecution, along with so many other objections. People lie all the time, for personal and financial gain. Lying under oath is certainly not unheard of. Various motives do exist, but certain people still refuse to view this angle. What could the likes of Jessica Alfaro have to gain? There are so many theories circulating. I have no qualms speculating on that myself, and my mind is whirling. The big difference is, Jessica Alfaro is doing well in the US or Canada under the Witness Protection Program and receiving a monthly allowance, while that simple yet ruinous act of speculating, by the very people sworn to protect the innocent and uphold the law, sentenced Hubert et al to reclusion perpetua or life imprisonment. He was presumed guilty even before the trial began. The media even exploited and thrived on the poor-man-versus-rich-man angle, with the brouhaha contributing to the guilty verdict. Mr. Vizconde’s chronic mantra seemed to be, “Woe is me. I’m alone in my battle against the rich and powerful Webb.” While I empathize with Lauro Vizconde over the loss of his wife and daughters, hoping and praying like so many others that the real killers be brought to justice, his Third World histrionics, and penchant for the paranormal, not to mention his obsession and grim persistence in putting the blame on Hubert Webb et al, are rather off-putting.

        There is a stark difference between the supporters of the two camps. One is ruled by their violent emotions, bigotry, and hatred, the other side ruled by reason and calmness. One is out for blood, while the other seeks only justice. Justice for everyone, Hubert et al, and justice for Lauro Vizconde. I get the impression that the most adamant, and I’m not saying all, of Mr. Vizconde’s supporters are inciters, or at the very least, lazy when it comes to reading, or simply too stubborn and biased to accept the possibility that a judge has erred. They seem desirous of a civil war, always speaking of the wickedness of the rich and how they were oppressed by these people. Never mind the facts. Never mind a person’s innocence and the flagrant disregard for justice. Someone has to pay, and they’ve set their sights on Hubert et al. “Dapat mabulok sa kulungan. Dapat bitayin. Dapat lahat ng supporters ni Hubert ma-rape at mapatay din.” How can they say such things while speaking of God in the same breath? I will spare your sensibilities by omitting the crass and vulgar language they used to vilify the Webb name. Suffice to say, that the exhaustive capability of men to destroy another human being never fails to scare me. I only have one thing to say to them, “Judge not, lest you be judged.” In other words there is only one omniscient judge, and that is God. I’m not saying the other group is perfect, people do tend to get carried away, especially when emotions run high, but at least they have administrators who regularly call for sobriety and fairness, and at the end of the day, cooler heads prevail.

        I just do not understand why some people keep harping on the “What ifs”. What if he really did this heinous crime? What if all 142 documents submitted in court by the defense were forged? What if he did a Houdini and sneaked in and out of two countries and cleverly covered his tracks? What if his family paid or bribed all 95 witnesses who testified for him that he really was in the US? What if he has more influence than the President of the United States, the US senators, and Oprah combined, and what if the FBI, INS (now USCIS), Secretaries of State Madeleine Albright and Warren Christopher, Attorney General Janet Reno, Legal attaché to the US Embassy Robert Heafner, and all other illustrious personalities who authenticated and lent credence to Hubert’s alibi, lied for him? Do you see how absurd these speculations are? Forging documents is a federal offense and if the Webbs were guilty of it, then you can be sure that as soon as they submitted those documents in court, and it became public knowledge, then the US government would have chased them to hell and back and thrown them all in the US federal penitentiary faster than a minnow can swim a dipper. It’s appalling that Hubert, with documented evidence that he did enter the US in March of 1991 and left October of 1992, were convicted based on this, and I quote the RTC ruling: “it was not physically impossible for the accused Webb to have returned to the Philippines, perpetrate the criminal act, and travel back to the United States…” For the first time in the history of Philippine jurisprudence, without the benefit of an invalidation or rebuttal of any of the documents submitted, Judge Tolentino speculated that Hubert had superhuman capabilities of teleportation and invisibility, traveling undetected by both the US and the Philippines’ immigration officials, and made her momentous and appalling decision that shook the very foundation of our justice system. If the authenticity and veracity of the documents were not challenged, then they were admitted as true and regular by the court. This makes Hubert’s alibi a strong one and should obliterate all the bogus witnesses’ testimonies against him. Speculating on a person’s guilt, superpower, and influence is gross incompetence and irresponsible for any officer of the law to engage in, and making a decision based on it should be punishable. They have so much to answer for.

        Even with the acquittal, the irrationality of people predominates, believing Hubert et al could still be guilty because the Supreme Court did not declare them innocent. There is no “Innocent” verdict in a criminal case. You are either “Guilty” or “Not guilty.” For the SC to categorically state that Hubert is innocent would be pointing out the obvious. An accused is guaranteed the presumption of innocence to begin with. The constitution says so. Since the prosecution miserably failed to prove guilt beyond reasonable doubt, then the innocent status is further solidified. Sitting on the fence or vacillating to appease a certain group in the midst of a moral crisis is just not going to cut it. It will only amplify the divisive conflict that exists among the populace now. Of course, it can’t be avoided that some people would take advantage of the situation, and concoct a dangerous brew of discord and political turmoil, in order to get some sort of mileage.

        So why the acquittal? Precisely because the burden of proof always rests on the prosecution, not on the defense. It is their job to prove beyond reasonable doubt a person’s guilt. It is dangerous and immoral to convict an innocent man, primarily because his life and liberty are at stake, hence that high standard of proof. I am not a lawyer, but this is so elementary. You can’t convict when there’s a scintilla, much more a billow of doubt lingering in the air. You have to prove to a moral certainty that a person really did the crime. Can your conscience allow you to sleep if you sent an innocent man to his death, or condemned him to a lifetime behind bars? Apparently, the likes of Jessica Alfaro could.

        The most absurd of all the comments I came across was, “If not Hubert, then who? The Webbs should have looked for the real perpetrators to absolve Hubert of the crime.” It is not for the Webbs to catch the real criminals, we have agencies for that, and we, as a nation should be concerned that the right people get punished this time. If there is no lead, then it becomes a cold case. But it is high time to end the persecution and harassment of Hubert et al. They suffered 15 long years and four months of prison time, and they were innocent. It was insane for Mr. Vizconde to claim that justice was denied him when the Supreme Court acquitted Hubert et al. He was not the one wrongfully accused and jailed. He would take a step closer in finding real justice the moment he accepts the fact that Hubert Webb is truly and unequivocally innocent.

        It is also high time the defense rests, turn the tables on all those responsible for that travesty of justice and put them on the defensive. It is time to ask relevant and intelligent questions. Let’s start with Jessica Alfaro because if you think about it, it was just her word against all the accused, not to mention their upstanding and credible witnesses, because she was the only one who claimed to have witnessed the crime. The rest was circumstantial. Now that the SC has determined that the RTC and CA were so biased and unreasonable, when they willfully elevated a shameless opportunist and consummate liar into the “perfect witness,” and rejected a huge amount of evidence the defense presented, leaving an alibi of being on another planet the only alibi worth considering, then nobody should have to explain further why Hubert is innocent. When Supreme Court justices start injecting sarcasm into their decision, then it’s a sign that they are exasperated beyond belief about the ineptitude, arrogance, and imprudence of the lower courts and investigating bodies. In other words, forcing the issue of this Webb conspiracy constitutes lunacy because it’s stupid and pointless.

        The nature of the crime speaks volumes. It was cold-blooded, heinous, and filled with hate. Multiple stab wounds? Overkill. Look at all the angles. Look for motives. Who stood to gain the most? Family members should not be excluded. Who ordered the burning of the evidence? Wasn’t it a relative of the victims? Was it a revenge kill? Who framed Hubert Webb and the others? Was it politically motivated? Investigators should also take a second look at the construction workers and the Akyat Bahay gang, the first and second batches of suspects they arrested.

        The sad part is, so much time has been lost with not much physical evidence to go on, I’m afraid this is bound to become a cold case. That semen sample, if it surfaces, is worthless, because of the broken chain of evidence. More importantly, any other witness against those acquitted, who hibernated and will suddenly crop up out of nowhere, should be viewed as highly suspect and desperate. Just give it a rest and move on to other suspects already, before the statute of limitations for this case runs out.

        .

      9. Evidende: 1. record of departure including ticket, ticket receipt,(with accompanying testimony from raja tours owner Bibay Nolasco), airline manifest (with accompanying testimony from a northwest airline official), passport with departure stamp from the Bureau of Immigration

        Evidence 2. record of entry which includes an F.B.I. report, a note verbal issued by the U.S. government signed by Secretary of State Madeline Albright stating that Hubert Webb was in the U.S. testified to by no less than both foriegn secretary Domingo Siazon and Consul General Leo Herrera Lim

        (certification from US Immigration and naturalization service signed (w seal) by Madelaine Albright, Warren Christopher and Atty. General Janet Reno
        verified proofs/documents by US state secretary (Albright) and FBI (Bob Heafner)

        Evidence 3. records of his stay which includes: Videos – one in Disneyland (testified to by a complete stranger who saw Freddie Webb and decided to video him), one at Lake Tahoe and another at wedding ceremony

        Evidence 4. Records of employment in the form of several encashed checks in his name Hubert Jeffrrey Webb before and after the crime

        Evidence 5. California Drivers License aquired during his stay, certified by the Department of Motor Vehicles California

        Evidence 6 Dozens of eyewitness accounts all of which were excecuted by upstanding members of society all of which have much to lose had they perjured themselves in court, the most prominent of all being Entertainer Gary Valenciano. Supreme court justice Antonio Carpio also testified that he knew that Hubert was in the U.S, based on his conversations with my father who was in the U.S. right before the time of the incident.

        Evidence 7. records of his departure which includes again the certification from the U.S. stating his date of departure, airline manifest testified to by an authority from the Philippine Airlines.

        All the evidence has never, let me repeat NEVER been proven fake by any authority or any court of law.

        THE EVIDENCE can’t lie, people do: Alfaro obviously did.

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