De Lima assures conviction of Maguindanao massacre suspects

COTABATO CITY -Outgoing Justice Secretary Leila de Lima believed a conviction of the principal suspects in the Maguindanao massacre will soon come out or at least within the term of President Aquino.But the counsel of the accused chided her for conduct unbecoming. I remain confident that before the end of the President’s term, there will be a few convictions,” De Lima told atelevision interview. De Lima who is seeking a senatorial post in next year's polls, wasreferring to principal suspectsAndal Datu Unsay” Ampatuan Jr. and his brother Zaldy.De Lima saidthe Quezon City regional trial court (RTC) Branch 22 is expected to come very soon with a conviction. She did not say when but added it will come before June 30, 2016, when President Aquino steps down.The Ampatuans were the primary suspectsin the killing of 58 persons on Nov. 23, 2009. The elder Ampatuan, Andal Sr, died two months ago due to liver cancer.De Lima is expected to step down as justice secretary on October 12, the start of filing of certificates of candidacy.But the camp of Ampatuan, through its lawyers, chided De Lima for her pronouncement, describing her anticipated conviction as conduct unbecoming.The Heffron Esguerra Dy De Jesus andamp Chico (HEDJ) Law Offices said in a statement de Lima misled the public by stating their client will be found guilty after their petition to bail was denied. The denial of a bail application is not synonymous with a finding of guilt, HEDJ said. and//page.kiosked.com/who-served-this-ad