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Lejano vs People [SUPPLEMENTAL OPINION, BRION, J.]

ANTONIO LEJANO, petitioner, -versus- PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, respondent. PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, appellee, -versus- HUBERT JEFFREY P. WEBB, et al., appellants.

G.R. No. 176389 / G.R. No. 176864 | 2010-12-14

SUPPLEMENTAL OPINION

BRION, J.:

In addition to my vote and independently of the merits of the present case, I write this opinion to point out the growing disregard and non-observance of the sub judice rule, to the detriment of the rights of the accused, the integrity of the courts, and, ultimately, the administration of justice.  I seize this opportunity fully aware that the present case – dubbed in the news media as the Vizconde Massacre – is one of the most sensational criminal cases in Philippine history in terms of the mode of commission of the crime and the personalities involved.  From the time the charges were filed, the...