MANILA, Philippines - Datu Unsay Mayor Andal Ampatuan Jr. on Wednesday entered a not guilty plea to 15 additional murder cases filed against him for his role in the massacre of 57 people in Ampatuan town, Maguindanao province last Nov. 23, 2009.

Ampatuan Jr. had previously pleaded not guilty to 41 murder cases filed against him by the Department of Justice, based on evidence provided by the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).

The arraignment for the 15 additional charges was conducted before the start of the 5th hearing on Ampatuan Jr.'s petition for bail held at the PNP's headquarters in Camp Crame, Quezon City.

Lawyer Harry Roque, who is representing relatives of massacred journalists, also asked Quezon City Regional Trial Court Judge Jocelyn Reyes to allow the hearing to be aired live on TV.

Roque, whose manifestation was supported by the media group National Union of Journalists in the Philippines, was asked to submit his manifestation in writing.

Vice Mayor Esmael "Toto" Mangudadatu, whose husband and two sisters were among those killed, was scheduled for cross examination.

After Mangudadatu, the prosecution was expected to present a doctor to testify against Ampatuan Jr.

Ampatuan Jr. was again brought to Camp Crame by a joint convoy of the PNP and the National Bureau of Investigation. He arrived in Camp Crame around 6:20 a.m.. – Report from Timi Nubla, ABS-CBN News