Feb. 27, 2010. Manila. Philippines. Reports have it that the Ampatuans have sent emissaries to the families of journalists killed in the November 23 massacre in Maguindanao. An undetermined amount has been offered to the families of the slain victims for a possible out-of-court settlement of the multiple murder case lodged against the Ampatuan clan.
It has also been reported that prosecution witnesses are being “bought” or offered bribes to weaken the case against the Ampatuans. This report however was vigorously denied by a representative from the Ampatuan clan.
Legal minds however, have determined that even if some of the complainants drop the charges against the Ampatuans, the case would still prosper since it is really a crime against the state. It is in fact the Republic of the Philippines versus the Ampatuans.
Judge accused of “partiality”
The case against the Ampatuans hit another snag when the prosecution panel accused the judge of not being impartial. They asked the judge to inhibit himself from further hearing the case. The move prompted Judge Viviencio Baclig of the Quezon City Regional Trial Court to once again reset the hearing to another date.