Ampatuan lawyer accuses judge of breaching law
2010-02-24 | 04:20:08 pm
The counsel of Andal Ampatuan Jr. has filed a supplemental motion, reiterating an earlier petition asking Judge Jocelyn Solis-Reyes to inhibit herself from Ampatuan’s case.
Lawyer Sigfrid Fortun argued Reyes broke the rules of court and showed her prejudice against Ampatuan several times during the bail petition hearing on February 3.
Fortun said Reyes virtually prohibited him from conducting a cross examination on Buluan, Maguindanao Vice Mayor Esmael Mangudadatu when she blocked his attempt to impeach the vice mayor’s credibility as a witness.
According to Fortun, the judge’s perceived bias may have been caused by the public’s negative perception of Ampatuan, the prime suspect of the massacre of 57 people in Maguindanao.
paulapanganiban@dwiz88.com