Judge Jocelyn Reyes declines security

Full support for Reyes
Supreme Court acting spokesperson Gleo Guerra
said that Chief Justice Reynato Puno has vowed the "judiciary’s full support" to
the 49-year-old Reyes, a public prosecutor-turned judge, to ensure her safety
during the hearing of the case.
Reyes, a graduate of the University of Santo
Tomas (UST) Faculty of Civil Law, was appointed as QC RTC presiding judge on
December 28, 2004.
She previously served as a public attorney (1992-1995),
public prosecutor (1995-2000), and a presiding judge of the Municipal Trial
Court in Cities (MTCC) in Angeles (2001-2003).
Guerra said Reyes, together
with QC RTC Executive Judge Fernando Sagun, Jr. have already discussed with the
Philippine National Police (PNP) about the security measures to be implemented
once the trial starts.
Guerra also told reporters that Sagun, 1st Vice
Executive Judge Bernelito Fernandez, and 2nd Vice Executive Judge Vicencio
Baclig will go to Camp Crame to examine three possible sites for hearing the
murder cases.
The three judges will submit a report as to the result of their
ocular inspection to the Court, through Court Administrator Jose
Perez.
"After the place of trial has been finalized, Judge Reyes will
immediately set the cases for hearing. Executive Judge Sagun will also make
periodic reports of the proceedings to the Court through Court Administrator
Perez," Guerra said.
Preliminary probe set
Meanwhile, the Department of
Justice (DOJ) is set to conduct its first preliminary investigation into
multiple murder complaints filed against nearly 200 people believed to be
involved in the Maguindanao massacre, including 25 police officers currently
detained at Camp Crame and members of the Ampatuan clan led by former
Maguindanao Governor Andal Ampatuan Sr.
Assistant Chief State Prosecutor
Richard Anthony Fadullon said the preliminary investigation will be conducted by
a panel of prosecutors composed of Senior State Prosecutors Roseanne Balauag and
Anjanette Ortile, State Prosecutor Rex Gingoyon and Assistant Prosecution
Attorney Xerxes Garcia.
The preliminary investigation will be held at the
DOJ-Multi Purpose Hall at 2 p.m. Friday.
Fadullon said no media
practitioner will be allowed inside the hearing room, but a camera will be set
up in the venue of the proceeding to allow the media and the public to view the
proceedings live.
More affidavits, evidence
Chief State Prosecutor
Jovencito Zuno said Andal Jr., who is detained at the nearby National Bureau of
Investigation (NBI), has waived his appearance in Friday's hearing, where the
prosecutors are expected to receive more affidavits and evidence which will help
them determine if there is a probable cause or enough reason to charge Andal Sr.
et al with the offense they are being accused of.
Fadullon said the
respondents are not required to attend in the preliminary proceedings, but the
DOJ will still implement tight security around the area as "we don't want to be
caught flat-footed if all of them appear or send lawyers."
Fadullon said the
DOJ is concerned with the bigger personalities who will attend the hearing that
they had to make security arrangements.
He added that the preliminary
investigatioin may go beyond the 60-day period as required under the rules as
the parties are expected to ask for extension in submitting their
counter-affidavits and other evidence.
"I think they would be asking for more
time. We will grant them that opportunity," Fadullon said. – With reports from
Jay Ruiz, ABS-CBN News, and the ABS-CBN News Channel