Supreme Court denies Webb acquittal involved money

               MANILA, Philippines—The Supreme Court on Tuesday vehemently denied allegations that money changed hands in the acquittal of Hubert Webb and five other accused in the Vizconde massacre case.

               Midas Marquez, the tribunal’s spokesman and court administrator, stressed that the seven justices who voted to acquit Webb et al based their decision on court documents and transcripts of records from the Parañaque regional trial court which tried the case.

               “It would be better if they read the majority decision,” Marquez replied when asked to comment on insinuations that the justices received money to vote in favor of Webb’s petition.He also downplayed allegations that Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio had a hand in the acquittal of the accused.

               “Justice Carpio inhibited himself from the case early on. I don’t see any reason how he could influence other justices,” he said.Voting 7-4, the high court ordered Webb’s release due to inconsistencies in the testimony of star witness Jessica Alfaro and the failure of the prosecution to prove the guilt of the accused beyond reasonable doubt.