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The lessons of the trial belong to the people so these can empower them to end impunity, to change the culture of politics and the course of our national history.  For the victims, the decision should allow them finally to rest in peace, grant their loved ones a measure of justice, and with it, comfort and consolation after their long wait. 

Citing the “voluminous records” of the case, the judge has requested a 30-day postponement of the promulgation of judgment. The Supreme Court agreed. In two days, on Dec. 19, 2019, it will finally happen.

They come from one of the poorest provinces of the country but the Ampatuans ranked among Asia's crazy rich, while they were in power. Court records showed that they owned five million square meters of property in parts of Maguindanao, Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Davao City, and even in ritzy Dasmarinas Village in Makati City.

The defense panel invokes the high bar of "presumption of innocence" for the accused, under the Constitution. The prosecution says it has presented evidence and eyewitnesses to show that Datu Unsay Ampatuan committed the crime beyond reasonable doubt.