SC denies ABS-CBN petition on Wowowee case

MANILA, Philippines - The Supreme Court on Friday denied with finality the petition filed by ABS-CBN stopping the Department of Justice from finishing its conduct of preliminary investigation into the 2006 stampeded with killed 71 and injured scores. In a minute resolution, the SC affirmed the DOJ’s jurisdiction on the preliminary investigation of ABS-CBN president Ma. Rosario “Charo" Santos-Concio, and ten others accused in the reckless imprudence resulting in multiple homicide and physical injuries charges. The high court said that the petitioners failed to raise any new issues that would warrant the reversal of the SC’s January 29, 2008 decision. In that decision, the high court ordered the DOJ and its prosecutors to proceed with its preliminary investigation to determine probable cause against petitioners. “The Court resolves to deny petitioners’ motion for reconsideration with finality, the basic issues raised therein having been fully considered and passed upon by the Court in the aforesaid decision and no substantial argument having been adduced to warrant the reconsideration sought," the SC said. Aside from Concio, who was charged when she was still executive vice president of the network, also named respondents in the case were Maria Socorro Vidanes, senior vice-president for television production; Marilou Almaden, executive producer; and Cipriano Luspo, assistant vice-president and head of security of ABS-CBN. Also joining the petition with the SC were Moly Stewart, Wowowee executive producer and manager; Harold James Nueva, associate producer for sets and technical; Norberto Vidanes, Wowowee director; Rey Cayabyab, assistant location manager and security coordinator; Francisco Rivera, ABS-CBN’s location manager; Mel Feliciano, the show’s assistant director; and Jean Owen Garcia, floor director. Wowowee host Willy Revillame has been cleared by the DOJ of the charges. The network, which aired the first anniversary celebration of the noon-time game show Wowowee, hosted by Revillame, was blamed for the stampede that took place at the Philsports arena (formerly Ultra) in Pasig on February 4, 2006. In its January 29, 2008 decision, the SC debunked the claims of petitioners that there was “indecent haste" by which the proceedings on the case were conducted by the DOJ. The DOJ investigating panel has already issued a resolution on October 9, 2006 finding probable cause to indict the accused for the crime. The accused’s motions for reconsideration are still pending resolution before the DOJ. A separate case was filed against Revillame, who has been cleared of any criminal liability in connection with the stampede. GMANews.TV is the official website of GMA News and Public Affairs, a unit of GMA Network Inc.- GMANews.TV