Misuari has money to pay for defence

Detained Moro leader Nur Misuari has the money to pay for the services of the 25-man legal panel that will defend him in the rebellion case filed against him by the government for the failed armed revolts in Jolo and Zamboanga, southern Philippines on November 19 and 27, sources said.

However, several of his lawyers said they are giving their services for free, adding that they are doing this for the sake of Misuari's human rights.

"Misuari has the money. My services for him will be for a fee and not for free," said Davao City councilor Vic Advincula, one of the three Davao lawyers recruited to be members of Misuari's defence team.

The two others are former Mayor Benjamin de Guzman and former Vice Mayor Dominador Zuño.38525 "I did not volunteer, my services were tapped. But so far, there has been nothing definite yet on the arrangement or whatsoever regarding the panel," Advincula said.

"We have not started working yet," said Advincula who clarified that he will only be defending Misuari only as far as the rebellion charges are concerned.

"I will do my best in what I could deliver with regards to the rebellion charges but it would have nothing to do with his political stand," he said.

Manila-based lawyer Macapanton Abbas earlier said Misuari might dismiss his 25-member defence team should the courts decide that his trial be held in Sta. Rosa, Laguna, southern Luzon rather than in Jolo where the rebellion cases were filed.

New York-based lawyer Elly Pamatong has been representing Misuari when the latter was arrested for illegal entry in Malaysia, Sabah on November 24.

Pamatong said he is not receiving money for his services.

Pamatong has been negotiating with representatives of other countries that want to host Misuari.