ULTRA Stampede

MANILA, Philippines—Survivors and relatives of the victims in the 2006 stampede at the PhilSports Arena (formerly Ultra) were dismayed when the court again deferred on Wednesday the arraignment of the accused.

Eight employees of the now defunct noontime show “Wowowee” of television network ABS-CBN face charges of reckless imprudence resulting in multiple homicide at the Pasig Regional Trial Court Branch 261.

This was after top executives of the network, including Charo Santos-Concio, were cleared by Judge Agnes Reyes Carpio in 2009 while the show’s host at the time, Willie Revillame, was absolved by the Department of Justice.

Still facing charges in court are Wowowee staffers Marilou Almaden, Cipriano Luspo, Morly Stewart Nueva, Harold James Nueva, Norbert Vidanes, Francisco Rivera, Mel Feliciano and Jean Owen Garcia.

Judge Leili Cruz Suarez, who took over from Carpio when she was appointed to the Court of Appeals last year, postponed the arraignment pending the resolution of a motion filed by the defense asking for a reinvestigation.

This information was supplied by Dante Jimenez, founding chairman of the Volunteers against Crime and Corruption, which is providing support to the Wowowee victims.

All reporters, with the exception of ABS-CBN, were barred from covering the court proceedings.