SC issues rules on Maguindanao massacre case coverage

In November, the Supreme Court (SC) granted Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 221 Judge Jocelyn Solis-Reyes’ request to be given more time to come up with a decision. (File Photo By Mike Gonzalez (TheCoffee) – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0)

MANILA — The Supreme Court (SC) on Friday released guidelines for media coverage of the long-anticipated promulgation of the decision in the Maguindanao massacre case.

In a notice sent to newsmen, Court Administrator Jose Midas Marquez and Assistant Court Administrator Brian Keith F. Hosaka assured the public that the high court will immediately upload the decision of the trial court in the case in the SC website as soon as possible.
Only two video cameras will be allowed to take footage of the proceedings to be provided and manned by the personnel of the state-run People’s Television Network (PTV) upon the request of the high court.

The first camera of PTV shall be directed at the judge and whoever will read the decision, on a wide angle shot, while the second camera of PTV shall be directed at the lawyers, counsels and the parties, also on a wide angle shot.

In no case will the shot pan the surroundings or zoom in on any individuals inside the courtroom.

The video footage shall be shared in real-time with other broadcast networks.

“No expert commentaries shall be allowed during the live coverage of the promulgation,” the guidelines said of the broadcast networks adding that PTV “shall air the promulgation without any interruption”.

In November, the Supreme Court (SC) granted Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 221 Judge Jocelyn Solis-Reyes’ request to be given more time to come up with a decision.

Solis-Reyes said the decision will be promulgated on December 19.

Chief Justice Diosdado Peralta said the court considered the huge volume of evidence and parties in the case in giving a 30-day extension to Solis-Reyes.

Under court rules, all trial courts should promulgate their decision within the 90-day period after the case has been submitted for decision.

The case has been submitted for decision on August 22 which means the deadline for its promulgation should have been on November 20, three days before the massacre’s 10th anniversary on November 23.

The attack resulted in the death of 58 people, including 32 journalists and media workers, the single worst peace-time incident involving the killing of newsmen.

Other victims were family members and supporters of the Ampatuan clan’s political foe, Esmael Mangudadatu.