DoJ dangles P55-million aid for families of Maguindanao massacre victims: Manila Bulletin

MANILA, Philippines - Acting Justice Secretary Alberto Agra disclosed Thursday the signing of a Declaration of Commitment covering P55 million in aid package for families of the November 23, 2009 massacre victims.

The aid package is meant for academic scholarships, health, and medical assistance and livelihood projects for the victims’ families.

The victims’ families and their lawyers are expected to attend Friday’s signing.

The DoJ sourced P5 million of the aid package from the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office and P50 million from the Federation of Philippine Industries).

Last Wednesday, Agra reversed his April 16, 2010 decision, clearing detained Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) Governor Zaldy Ampatuan and Akmad Ampatuan, citing new testimonies pointing to existence of probable cause to indict them for conspiracy in the Nov. 23, 2009 massacre.

In his 30-page resolution dated May 5, 2010, Agra reconsidered its April 16 resolution clearing Zaldy and Akmad Ampatuan out of the charge sheet after lawyer Nena Santos presented the testimony of another new witness – Abdul Talusan – who claimed that he saw the two of them present during the Nov. 22 meeting at the Shariff Aguak mansion of former Maguindanao Governor Andal Ampatuan Sr. where the massacre was allegedly plotted by the Ampatuans. (Manila Bulletin - Jeamma Sabate)


Link:http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/256251/doj-dangles-p55million-aid-families-maguindanao-victims