Deputy Prime Minister Gaspar Vega's defamation lawsuit against his PUP political opponent, Ramon Cervantes Jr. went back to the Supreme Court today. We're referring to the decision by the DPM to sue Cervantes because he released an explosive phone call recording on the evening news and on national radio. In that phone call, the man claiming to be Manuel Castillo, the wanted murder mastermind, named Vega as the person who orchestrated Cervantez father's murder last year.
Today was a case management conference which focused mostly on an application to amend the claim, made by Vega's attorney, Rodwell Wiliams. We waited outside of court and spoke with Cervantes and his attorney who claims that in this application, Vega wants the lawsuit to continue against Cervantez, he just doesn't want to be obliged to appear in court regularly for it:
Rt. Hon. Said Musa, Attorney for the Cervantes Family
"The attorney for Mister Vega made an application to the court to amend the statement of claim. Most of the morning, the Chief Justice was taken up with considering whether or not the amendment of the statement of claim should be allowed or not. And the Chief Justice have heard the arguments and from both sides. And will give it ruling next Thursday the 7th of May. We were hoping today that could have been the pre-trial review, that the next stage would have been the trial date. However, the claimant, Mr. Vega, through his attorney made this application to amend and that is what is holding up the matter now. The judge will give his ruling next Thursday. One way or the other, he may not agree to it or he may allow the amendment. We will find out next Thursday."
Ramon "Monchie" Cervantez, Respondent in Defamation Suit
"My impression from this proposed amendment, Daniel, is that the claimant, Mr. Vega, is trying to find a way to excuse himself from presenting himself at the trial for his case. And instead let someone else, in this case I think one of the witnesses, to do that work for him for his case."
Daniel Ortiz
"Is there any ideas which come to mind as to why he would want to exclude himself all together?"
Ramon "Monchie" Cervantez, Respondent in Defamation Suit
"I don't know, I think you would have to ask him that."
The case goes back to court on next week Thursday, and Chief Justice Benjamin will decide whether or not to grant the application.
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