Puno vows security for judge in massacre case
MANILA, Philippines - Supreme Court Chief Justice Reynato Puno on Wednesday vowed to give ample security to the Quezon City judge who will try the murder case of Datu Unsay Mayor Andal Ampatuan Jr.
Puno gave the assurance to 24 judges of the Quezon City Regional Trial Court (RTC) after one of their own, Judge Luisito Cortez of Branch 84, refused to accept the case due to security concerns.
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Read Newsbreak's investigative story in 2008 on the unabated killings of judges in the Philippines and the slow response of authorities with regards to this problem: A Cry for Justice: 44 Judges Killed in Recent Years |
In a meeting on Wednesday, Puno reminded the 24 RTC judges that inhibiting from the case would diminish confidence in the country's judicial system. He said the Philippine National Police will provide round-the-clock security to the judge, as well as the judge's family handling the case.
The Supreme Court earlier granted the Department of Justice's request to transfer the venue of the multiple murder case from Cotabato City to Quezon City due to possible security threats to prosecutors and witnesses.
It was learned that out of 24 judges of the RTC, most were reluctant from taking the case of Ampatuan. The case is connected to the massacre of 57 innocent civilians in Ampatuan, Maguindanao last November 23, which is the worst election-related killing in Philippine history.
During the meeting, Cortez gave several reasons for turning down the Ampatuan massacre case after it was raffled off to his sala.
Aside from concern for his family's security, he said his heavy case workload in handling two branches would hinder him from giving ample time to the case.
He also cited previous experiences of an ambush and death threats from handling sensational cases. Cortez survived an assassination attempt while serving a stint in Plaridel, Bulacan. He has also received death threats after he took on the case of murdered Abra Congressman Luis “Chito” Bersamin.
Cortez said he is ready to be castigated by the court for his decision. He said he followed the process on inhibition. He also said he is handling many celebrated cases. He said Ampatuan is not the only taxpayer, and in his personal assessment, there are other cases that also deserve equal attention.
Puno clarified that there is still no threat to the life of Cortez so it cannot be said that he inhibited because he was afraid. He said the Court en banc will study if Cortez's decision for inhibiting from the case is valid and does not constitute dereliction of duty.
Asked if Cortez's reasons are acceptable to the Supreme Court, he said this will be on a case-to-case basis.
The judges agreed that existing rules and processes will be followed and a re-raffling of the case will be held Thursday at 2 p.m. They also gave their commitment to the Chief Justice that they would not inhibit themselves from trying the murder case.
The chief justice said he is planning to visit courts in General Santos City, Cotabato City and Sultan Kudarat to provide moral support to judges who will handle the numerous court cases being filed against the Ampatuans and their supporters. -- reports from Jay Ruiz, ABS-CBN News; Dennis Datu, dzMM
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mga bakla...
nababakla na si cortez, ikinakahiya ka ng buong san beda.. before ka pumasok jan abay alam mo na maari kang mamatay..kung naduduwag ka di ka nlng sana naging huwes...nagpatayo ka nlng sana ng beauty parlor, i-manicure mo si ampatuan ng BONGGANG-BONGGA...
WE NOW JUDGE THE JUDGES
the massacre at maguindanao highlighted other violence and corruption in almost all the branches of philippine government. THE PEOPLE HAVE LOST ITS CONFIDENCE TO THE DULY ELECTED AND THE PEOPLE CALLED TO SERVE AND PROTECT the pinoys...kawawa naman si JUAN dela Cruz! unthinkable ang mga opisyales ng maguindanao, the ampatuans mga tunay na terroristang may basbas sa malakanyang, kasama ang mga PNP, ARMY, DILG & DND...na ngayon ay naglilinis ng kamay na sangkot sila, dahil alam nila kayang kaya nila ang BATAS, sila na ang mga batas mismo. mga huwes naging TAKOT at ang hustisya ay tulayan ng nawala. ito ang isa sa higit na mas malalim na problema. irafffle pa ulit ng SC ang mga branches 24 beses ding mag iinhibit ang mga yan dahil alam nila ang klase mismo ng hustisya meron tayo. pag tama ginawa mo, bang isang bala ka lang... pag mali kaya nila pagtakpan yan, manahimik lang hanggang sa mawala at lumamig ang issue at wala na... kita nyo style ni gma at iba pang ahensya ng gobierno, perfect timing sila lahat magpress statement pagkatapos ng kainitan ng issue...kawawa si JUAN! may credibilidad pa ba ang mga hustisya natin, personally NUON PA MAN, WALA NA AKONG TIWALA SA JUDICAL SYSTEM NATIN. para kay JUAN, jus-tiis! ang kaso para sa mga mahihirap lamang. magandang hanap buhay dyan sa pinas maging abugado at huwes, laki kita. tignan nyo lahat ng pinoy gusto umalis sa pinas bilang OFWs, mga naiwan si atty...walang piring ang hustisya sa pinas...now is the time please prove it.. the whole world is watching!
WE NOW JUDGE THE JUDGES
the massacre at maguindanao highlighted other violence and corruption in almost all the branches of philippine government. THE PEOPLE HAVE LOST ITS CONFIDENCE TO THE DULY ELECTED AND THE PEOPLE CALLED TO SERVE AND PROTECT the pinoys...kawawa naman si JUAN dela Cruz! unthinkable ang mga opisyales ng maguindanao, the ampatuans mga tunay na terroristang may basbas sa malakanyang, kasama ang mga PNP, ARMY, DILG & DND...na ngayon ay naglilinis ng kamay na sangkot sila, dahil alam nila kayang kaya nila ang BATAS, sila na ang mga batas mismo. mga huwes naging TAKOT at ang hustisya ay tulayan ng nawala. ito ang isa sa higit na mas malalim na problema. irafffle pa ulit ng SC ang mga branches 24 beses ding mag iinhibit ang mga yan dahil alam nila ang klase mismo ng hustisya meron tayo. pag tama ginawa mo, bang isang bala ka lang... pag mali kaya nila pagtakpan yan, manahimik lang hanggang sa mawala at lumamig ang issue at wala na... kita nyo style ni gma at iba pang ahensya ng gobierno, perfect timing sila lahat magpress statement pagkatapos ng kainitan ng issue...kawawa si JUAN! may credibilidad pa ba ang mga hustisya natin, personally NUON PA MAN, WALA NA AKONG TIWALA SA JUDICAL SYSTEM NATIN. para kay JUAN, jus-tiis! ang kaso para sa mga mahihirap lamang. magandang hanap buhay dyan sa pinas maging abugado at huwes, laki kita. tignan nyo lahat ng pinoy gusto umalis sa pinas bilang OFWs, mga naiwan si atty...walang piring ang hustisya sa pinas...now is the time please prove it.. the whole world is watching!
It is only right to for Sec
It is only right to for Sec Puno to reassure those judges of their welfare but it is perhaps better to REMIND these court judges of their obligation. I understand they took an oath to be a judge, and hearing cases is their duty. It is lile a policeman who refused to do their POLICE DUTY due to risk involved or a driver who does not want to drive due to the risk of getting bump or getting a flat tire. I hope that Sec Puno, due to a higher risk, PROVIDE SPECIAL security to these Judges. I am not undermining the risk and perhaps the analogy may not fit correctly. I am just hoping that these Judges have realized the risk before they took the job. So my question to those judges who will refuse the job, please define "DUTY" and "OBLIGATION"?
FOR PUNO'S INFORMATION, THE SYSTEM IS BREAKING DOWN
ANG LAKAS NG LOOB MONG MAGSALITA DAHIL HINDI YANG BUHAY MO ANG NAKATAYA.
44 Judges Killed in Recent Years
http://newsbreak.com.ph/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=4058&I...
ITONG KUKUTO SUPREMA ISA PANG WALANG SILBE!
Nung ideklara ang martial law ang kasabi sabi nitong si Puno THERE IS NO BASIS FOR MARTIA LAW. Pagkatapos biglang nagbago ang isip at ayaw magpalabas ng TRO. Lumalabas na pati ang pinakamataas na hukuman sa buong bayan ay mga duwag din! WALANG PRINSIPYO, PURO CORRUPT!
OY PUNO, WALA NAMAN TALAGANG KOMPIYANSA ANG MGA TAO SA SISTEMA NG HUSTISYA SA BAYAN NATIN. PINATUNAYAN NA NI DATING CHIEF JUSTICE HILARIO DAVIDE NA PARE PAREHO KAYONG MGA CORRUPT!
Ayoko sa Gibo
Ayoko sa Gibo ayaw sa fongsoi sa kanya si pare ampatuan kuha mga armas sa gobyerno may tatak DND siya amo DND di ba? ako benta ampatuan may tatak ongpin pero kwitis lang...ayoko sa gibo sipsip siya sa ate ko gloya ako gusto bayani kasi fongsoi sabi pangalan mukanda bayani...he....he....he.... basta wala sa gibo pag asa pinas sa intsik ang pag asa pinas....
May Tiwala Ba Ang Tao Sa Pulis At Militar?
Hanggang ngayon hindi pa nahuhuli ang mga mahigit 120 gunmen na pumatay dun sa mga biktima ng massacre at gayundin ang 3,000 katao na sinasabing private army ng mga Ampatuan. Hindi malayong ang mga iyan ang kinatatakutan ng mga huwes sapagka't ayon sa militar ay posibleng nasa capital region na ang ilan sa kanila upang magsagawa ng assasination sa mga huwes at testigo.
NAKAKASIGURO BA ANG MGA HUWES NA SILA AT ANG KANILANG PAMILYA AY MAGIGING LIGTAS SA KAMAY NG MGA PULIS GAYONG WALA NAMAN ITONG NAGAWA PARA PROTEKTAHAN ANG MGA NAGING BIKTIMA NG MASSACRE?
diminish
"In a meeting on Wednesday, Puno reminded the 24 RTC judges that inhibiting from the case would diminish confidence in the country's judicial system."
Di ko alam kung may tira pa conpidens sa pilipinas wala na wala na basta ako me tira pa conpidens ke ate gloya conpidens ako na panalo siya sa pampanga, tapos conpidens ako na subok niya prime minister para tuloy ligaya kung subok tao laban tawag niya uli ako marshal lo halika na may lebelyon dito eh di ako sikat naman. ayaw ko palit gloya sa gibo kasi malas sabi fongsoi panggalan talo na BIGO na.. ...ha..ha...ha.....huwag niyo subok ate gloya tapang siya dami niya generals masaya pasko namin ngayon dami regalo....masaya din tongressmen na supota ate gloya kasi dagdag pok barel nila
Alternative Solution???
Hey, I know an alternative solution to civil war. Vote Gibo for president. He seems to be a nice guy, smart, honest and the US seems to like him. The only thing I heard against him is, he and Arroyo belongs to the same party. Which is the worst argument and the farthest from reality of judging a leader. Come to think about the other candidates, if and when they get to sit on that chair in Malacang, we would just be in on the same cycle. Let's get a leader who is the least controversial and capable to work as a uniting force. Honestly, that's what the Pinoy Nation badly needs, not anything else!