IF WE assume that Christine Silawan's self-confessed murderer, Renato Llenes, spoke the truth -- and evidence would hold up his claims -- which of the clashing findings of two forensic teams that examined her corpse are being affirmed?
* NO RAPE: LLENES SAID HE DIDN'T RAPE HER. Superintendent Benjamin Lara of PNP found no fresh lacerations or hematoma, making rape inconclusive. That's why he asked for other tests in Manila. Dr. Erwin Erfe of Public Attorney's Office (PAO) saw many lacerations and bruises in the vaginal area and ruled there was rape. Lara also saw one healed laceration, indicating "an instrument" had penetrated her before. Llenes said Christine told him she was no longer a virgin, which Lara was careful not to say about her in his findings.
But other forms of sexual assault could've been made, only that there was no penetration by the male sex organ into the girl's vagina. Llenes admitted he wanted to force himself on Christine but couldn't get it up.
* SKINNED: LLENES SAID HE USED SCISSORS. PNP's Lara said while it was possible some "corrosive substance" was used, the lack of injury on both eyes of Christine seemed to discount it. PAO's Erfe said sulfuric acid was used to disfigure the girl.
* ONLY ONE PERSON: LLENES WAS STRONG ENOUGH. No theory from PNP's Lara about the number of people involved in the attack. PAO's Erfe said it required at least three persons. Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Paz Radaza was the first to tell the public that the second suspect was burly and strong.
So at least on those areas, who or which agency scored better? And what could explain the variance in test results?
Blood on boy's shoes
And how about that disclosure by the NBI that forensic test showed that a trace of blood on the first suspect's shoe or shoes (at first, it was reported that it was his cap and shirt) matched with Christine's blood.
Would that prove the former boyfriend of Christine was present during the killing? But Llenes was sure that only he killed Christine. At least, about the boy: Llenes even said he pitied the teenager and he should be released.
Playing on candidates' names
The Gwen Garcia-Salimbangon camp calls the 20-story building that Governor Junjun Davide proposes to build "Torre ni Davide," from the biblical Tower of David.
The Magpale-Davide camp's campaign shout-out: "Never A-Gwen."
In Mandaue City, the Luigi Quisumbing camp calls a Jonas "kawatan" in a bastardized version of Rossini's "William Tell Overture," the accusation repeated a hundred times. In return fire, the Jonas Cortes camp calls Luigi "butakal."
No longer playing on names but outright name-calling.
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