Wednesday, March 05, 2008 CHR chief, anti-crime crusader to testify v. Leviste
COMMISSION on Human Rights (CHR) chairperson Purificacion Quisimbling and a known anti-crime crusader are set to take the witness stand during Wednesday's resumption of the trial for murder of former Batangas governor Jose Antonio Leviste before the Makati Regional Trial Court (RTC).
Senior State Prosecutor Emmanuel Velasco said they might present Quisumbing and Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption (VaccC) chairman Dante Jimenez as their witnesses before the sala of Makati RTC Branch 150 Judge Elmo Alameda.
The witnesses will rebut the arguments of Leviste that he was only defending himself when he shot his long-time business confidant and aide, Rafael de las Alas, inside his office at the 9th floor of the LPL Tower, Legaspi Village in Makati City on January 12, 2007.
But Velasco refused to provide additional details on what the witnesses will testify saying it is best to wait for their court's appearance.
Alameda has set the resumption of the hearing at 9 a.m. Wednesday.
In his testimony last month, the former governor told the court how he shot the victim after a heated argument inside his office and how he feels sick after the incident.
Leviste also testified on their friendship that he said started way back in the 1970s when he was appointed to head a government agency by former President Ferdinand Marcos where de las Alas served as his aide.
But the victim's family argued otherwise and asked the justice department to re-investigate the case after the Makati Prosecutor's Office initially filed homicide charges against the 67-year-old Leviste.
Velasco said there were enough elements such as cruelty, treachery and premeditation to warrant the murder charges citing the number of gunshot wounds sustained by de las Alas. (AH/Sunnex)
