Frat member refuses to give details in senate hazing probe
An official member of the Aegis Juris Fraternity turned whistle blower, Mark Ventura, refuses to give details about the frat members present during the initiation rites of Horacio “Atio” Castillo III on the third senate hearing, Monday.
Marc Ventura (in white barong), member of the Aegis Jvris Fraternity, present at the third hearing of Atio's case. Photo by Amabelle San Pedro/THE FOURTH
When asked by Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian about the Aegi Juris present in the hazing, Ventura did not give the names as his lawyers advised him not to do so.
“Sorry po your honour pero I’m willing po to tell the truth and nothing but the truth po but inadvisan po kasi ako na hindi po magbanggit ng details sp ecifically po yung mga names po, pero sa proper court po, I will comply po,” Ventura said.
(Sorry your honour, I’m willing to tell the truth and nothing but the truth, however I was advised by my lawyers not to give details especially the names who were involved, nevertheless, I will comply in the proper court.)
Senator Gatchalian disclosed that Ventura basically wrote down in his affidavit the names of those present in the final hazing rites.
In Ventura’s affidavit as discussed by Senator Gatchalian, paddling was the fatal part that happened on Atio. Ventura also confirmed that Atio received the worst attacks on his arms but he did not fully discuss it.
Atio’s condition after the paddling on his arms was very “tired and exhausted” that time but he was still responsive as Ventura narrated.
He tried to comfort Atio on the hazing process, “sinasabi ko po sa kanya na kaya niya yun, yung proseso po, and that lagi ko pong pinapaalala sa kanya yung sinasabi niya po sa akin na kaya siya sumali is yung purpose po,” Ventura said.
(I comforted him that he will make it and I constantly reminded him [his] purpose upon joining the fraternity.)
But Ventura constantly reminded Atio that the brotherhood will not give him purpose and it is himself who will start the purpose of his life.
Choose conscience rather than misguided loyalty
Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri commended Ventura for he chose the law rather than to violate the oath that lawyers state after passing the bar exams.
“I believe that you want us to prevail in this case and I thank you for your testimony,” Zubiri said.
Senator Zubiri said that Ventura’s position right now is very difficult and wouldn’t like to expose him for counter suits.
“I know what you are doing is very very difficult to do and I wouldn’t force you to say things confidential at this point in time” Zubiri said.
He stated that he will no longer ask more questions to Ventura about the details of the initiation rites so that he may not be exposed for the counter suits that may file to him.
