The Philippine Online Chronicles

A palace official said that they are hopeful that the Supreme Court (SC) will green light the live television broadcast of the Ampatuan multiple murder trial given the public interest surrounding the case.

“We are supporting the call for live coverage of the Maguindanao massacre trial but be that as it may, I think the President has already ordered the drafting of the letters to be sent to Chief Justice Corona about this matter,” said deputy presidential spokeswoman Abigail Valte to reporters Saturday.

“From what I have seen, the SC justices who decided on (disallowing) the (live coverage) of the former trial of former President Estrada have all retired," said Valte.

Supreme Court spokesman Jose Midas Marquez made similar comments Thursday that it was a good time to file a petition Given that most of the judges who denied a plea for the live broadcast of former president Joseph Ejercito Estrada plunder trial have already retired.

Valte’s statement comes days before the first anniversary of the November 23 massacre in Maguindanao where 57 people, 32 of them journalists, were killed.

The convoy of press, relatives and supporters of Esmael “Toto” Mangudadatu were travelling to Maguindanao capital Shariff Aguak to file his candidacy for governor.

The convey was allegedly stopped by at least 100 armed men headed by Andal Ampatuan Jr., son and namesake of then-governor Datu Andal Ampatuan Sr.

Media organizations headed by the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines along with relatives of the massacre victims filed a petition Friday asking the SC to allow the live coverage of the trial.

President Benigno Aquino III Aquino, Presidential Communications Operations Office head Herminion Coloma Jr. and prominent lawyer Romulo Macalintal have also called on the SC to review their media coverage ban policy.

Macalintal however cautioned that the court’s review of the media ban should be careful to strike a balance between guaranteeing the accused a fair trial and the freedom of the press.