The mother of the suspected assailant of Thelma Panes, the badly-burned woman from Hinoba-an, told the court her daughter-suspect, Rosie Aqui, did not attack Panes.

Aqui's mother, Erlinda Bayarcal, was cross-examined by Panes' counsel, Andy Hagad, during the hearing on Tuesday at the Kabankalan Regional Trial Court.

Hagad told the DAILY STAR that Bayarcal said that during attack on Thelma the night of May 14, 2004, her daughter was at home.

The testimony is an alibi, he said, but Bayarcal has also mentioned that Aqui sells kerosene, the substance supposedly thrown by Panes' attacker on her face before she set her on fire.

We have an eyewitness testimony so we still have a stronger case, Hagad said.

Hagad already submitted the case for resolution last December, but the hearing resumed last Tuesday after Judge Henry Arles granted the motion for reconsideration of Aqui's lawyer from the Public Attorney's Office to allow the defense to present additional witnesses.

During the next hearing on April 11, the defense will present their final witness.

Panes charged Aqui for frustrated murder for attacking her the night of May 14, 2004 at her house in a far-flung barangay in Hinoba-an town.

Panes, who suffered third degree burns on her face, chest and right arm, underwent a series of surgeries at the East Avenue Medical Center in Quezon City and at the Lady of Mercy Hospital in Bacolod City.

She received generous contributions from DAILY STAR readers, including those in the United States, the Seacreast Foundation of Violeta Lopez-Gonzaga, and the International Care Ministries in Bacolod City for her medical treatment.

Singer-businesswoman Token Lizares had also mounted a fund-raising concert for Panes' hospitalization expenses and livelihood assistance. Panes is now staying in Ilog with her three children.*NLG

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