All cases vs. Andal Sr will be dismissed - lawyer

COTABATO CITY - Andal Ampatuan Sr's legal counsel said all the cases filed against the former governor of Maguindanao will have to be dismissed due to his death.The state-runPhilippine News Agency reported thatFerdinand Topacio, Ampatuan's lawyer in the election sabotage case pending before a Pasay City court, said under the principles of penal laws death extinguishes any criminal liability of the accused. The Ampatuan patriarch was facing multiple murder in connection with the Maguindanao massacre now pending before a Quezon City trial court. Aside from poll case, the multiple murder case will have to be dismissed by the court, Topacio said.Lawyer Salvador Panelo is Ampatuan Sr's counsel in the multiple murder charges. Despite Ampatuan's demise the murder case will continue as to the other accused, Private prosecutor Nena Santos, lawyer for Maguindanao Gov. Esmael Mangudadatu, said in a statement aired over national television. In a report by GMAnews online,Lawyer Harry Roque Jr expressed condolences with the families of the accused Ampatuan but said justice could have been served for both our clients and the defendants if a decision were reached before Andal Sr passed away. Roque, counsel for 15 massacre victims, chairs theCenter for International Law (Centerlaw).He stressed that the search for justice continues and we will persevere in behalf of our clients.