Bella Ruby Santos Arrested

[Garpo]

If everything reported is true. Everybody is playing nice with Santos, even makes me wonder more if there is about to be a plea bargain in exchange for her hainging Griffiths out to dry. I hope that a resolution can come soon for the sake of the family who deserve to have justice for the death of this girl. I am happy to hear that the information that no trial could be started without Griffiths was not accurate and the case can proceed even if he is not willing to return to the Philippines and try to clear his name. If I were him I probably would try to avoid coming or being brought back also.

[Mr Lee]

I really do not see what the complaint is that she is getting special treatment, don't all people of means get special treatment when in jail?

Santos’s trial will begin even without Griffiths. Her arraignment is set on Oct. 24.

From THIS news story.

[Candyman]

Task Force wants witness protectionBy Ria Mae Y. Booc and Mylen P. Manto (The Freeman) Updated October 15, 2011 12:00 AMCEBU, Philippines - Task Force Ellah Joy has submitted the names of the prosecution witnesses against suspects Bella Ruby Santos and Ian Charles Griffiths to the Department of Justice for inclusion in the Witness Protection Program.Sr. Supt. Patrocinio Comendador, head of the task force, said that all witnesses are safe in light of reports that there are efforts to pay them off.He said that such allegations are not surprising as it has already been reported before that there were private investigators hired by Santos to track the witnesses.“Kato pa nang sauna nga gipangkamang kuno among mga witnesses unya hatagan ug kwarta,” Comendador said.He assured that all witnesses are ready for the arraignment of the case this October 24.It will be the DOJ that would determine who would qualify for the program.During the task force’s case conference on Thursday afternoon, Comendador disclosed that they are planning their legal strategies.He also said that while Santos and Griffiths will be facing charges for kidnapping with homicide, the authorities would also pursue a case of pornography.This stemmed from the various compact discs that were found in the residence of Santos that were allegedly covered with pictures of naked minors.ChallengeDefense counsel Rameses Villagonzalo has denied the allegations that their camp is offering P500,000 to one of prosecution’s witnesses to recant.“I challenge the CIDG to file a case as they claimed their witnesses were bribed to recant their statements,” he said.Villagonzalo added the allegations of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) was only meant to gain sympathy from the public.Several lawyers are defending Santos and Griffiths.Lawyers Lyndon Maceren, Julius Entise, Roberto Rublico, and Robel Ubod are the other members of the defense team.The camp of Santos and Griffiths believes that the statements made by Provincial Prosecutor Jane Petralba against Griffiths saying that “If he’s innocent, face trial,” was both dangerous and very wrong.They cited Article III of the Bill of Rights, Section 14 (2) of the 1987 Philippine Constitution claiming the statements of Petralba contradicts such law.They likewise said that Petralba’s statement contradicts Article 14.2 of the UNHCR “International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights,” which states that “Everyone charged with a criminal offence shall have the right to be presumed innocent until proven guilty according to law.”They also said that Article 11.(1) of the United Nations’ “Universal Declaration of Human Rights” states that “Everyone charged with a penal offence has the right to be presumed innocent until proved guilty according to law in a public trial at which he has had all the guarantees necessary for his defense.”They said the statement of Petralba could “adversely affect any future extradition or mutual legal assistance” request made by the Philippines to United Kingdom claiming the State was disregarding the constitutional and human rights of Griffiths.“Furthermore her statement could jeopardize the success of any extradition request the State makes with any other UN member nation at some future date for other cases. With these legal argumentations that we already pinned her down, her future claim of being misquoted is unacceptable,” the comment reads.Villagonzalo said the counsels of Griffiths are studying if they will file libel cases to those people who issued statements which they branded as “libellous.”Santos and Griffiths are charged for kidnapping with homicide before Judge Ester Veloso of Regional Trial Court Branch 6 in relation to the death of Ellah Joy Pique last February.Pique was walking home from the Calajoan Elementary School in Minglanilla town last February 8 when she was allegedly abducted by a Filipina woman and a Caucasian, who were on board a dark colored sports utility vehicle.The girl’s body was found the next day in the south western town of Barili.—/NLQ (FREEMAN)Full Story Here : http://www.philstar....bCategoryId=107

[Dave Hounddriver]

Holy sh&t. Putting witnesses in witness protection so that the defense cannot find them to offer a bigger bribe than the prosecution? Now I've heard everything.

[Markham]

This story broke a couple of days ago when the CIDG lawyer published an accusation against Griffiths and Santos whom he claimed attempted to bribe several witnesses to recant their stories. The alleged bribing is said to have taken place in July - although the CIDG lawyer conveniently omitted to mention that fact. As this alleged bribery attempt took place around three months ago - and they claim to know exactly who made the alleged offers to the witnesses - a couple of questions immediately arise -

• Why have they only now revealed this fact?
• Why have they not already arrested and charged the alleged briber?

This is, I suggest, yet another attempt to further besmirch the names of the two accused in the public eye by an organisation that has no credible evidence to otherwise secure a conviction against the defendants - and, therefore, is a serious libel. Remember the Police's press statements which claimed that Bella Santos was being tipped-off by someone within CIDG and whom she allegedly was paying P20,000 a month for? A complete lie that has never been proven otherwise. Why is the Governor, Gwendolyn Garcia, even allowing this to happen - not only is she allowing it but appears to be supportive of the Police's libellous statements by making equally unwise statements herself? This will surely return to haunt her. Mark

[Garpo]

It is not the witnesses that I am worried about being bribed. It is the Judge, prosecutor, police. But since that is pretty much expected then I guess that is not made public by the media. I am really looking forward to reading some of the witness testimony and and hearing about what actual evidence that will be presented. From everything that I have read so far, if it is true, then there is certainly a lack of good evidence so far.

[Mr Lee]

Once again the constitution is quoted, so I wonder if they have a strong case against her, or if it is all just bs and supposed eye witnesses, so they will give her bail? Prosecutors, lawyers plan for Ellah caseThe lawyers for homicide suspect Bella Ruby Santos plan to petition the court to allow her to post bail.Under the 1987 Constitution, a suspect has the right to bail unless he or she is charged with a capital offense where evidence of guilt is strong.

[Mr Lee]

It sure seems like she is being treated fairly. Bella Ruby scores first win Fiscal junks porno complaint vs SantosCEBU, Philippines - The Naga City Prosecutor’s Office has dismissed the complaint filed by the Children’s Legal Bureau (CLB) against Bella Ruby Santos, one of the accused in the kidnap-slay of six-year-old girl Ellah Joy Pique.City Prosecutor Napoleon Alburo said the compact disc covers with naked pictures of minors seized by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) from Santos’ house were inadmissible as evidence.Alburo told The FREEMAN that the search warrant applied by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) was for kidnapping with homicide and not for anti-pornography.

[Markham]

Actually Lee, defence counsel have said all along that they would be filing a motion for bail. Judge Veloso will need to be convinced that the prosecution case against her is sufficiently strong before she can deny bail and I rather think it is not. The Naga prosecutor would seem to be a bit more careful than his Cebu Province colleagues when it comes to considering possible charges to be laid before a court. The defence team will, I'm sure, be delighted with this "win" handed to them by the prosecuting side. (I did actually post "Bella Ruby scores first win ...." as a new topic but during the posting process, your server returned a SQL error.) Mark

[Mr Lee]

Actually Lee, defence counsel have said all along that they would be filing a motion for bail. Judge Veloso will need to be convinced that the prosecution case against her is sufficiently strong before she can deny bail and I rather think it is not. The Naga prosecutor would seem to be a bit more careful than his Cebu Province colleagues when it comes to considering possible charges to be laid before a court. The defence team will, I'm sure, be delighted with this "win" handed to them by the prosecuting side. (I did actually post "Bella Ruby scores first win ...." as a new topic but during the posting process, your server returned a SQL error.) Mark

Yes the forum is having some issues with the server. Well my posting it, just shows that I am fair and balanced. :tiphat: