Palace justifies Maguindanao martial law anew
12/16/2009 | 07:03 PM
Malacañang on Wednesday justified anew the imposition of martial law in Maguindanao after Judge Luisito Cortez of Quezon City Regional Trial Court declined to handle the murder case against Andal Ampatuan Jr., the prime suspect in the massacre of 57 people two weeks ago.
At a press briefing, presidential spokesman on economic affairs Gary Olivar said Cortez’s reluctance to handle the Ampatuan case should serve as the “factual basis" for President Gloria Arroyo's Proclamation 1959.
"If even a sitting judge in far away Quezon City would be so concerned over the malign reach of the perpetrators of this crime, one can only imagine how little could have been done to protect public safety, uphold government, and administer justice right in the middle of the killing fields, without the extraordinary powers conferred upon the authorities by martial law," Olivar said.
Cortez cited the safety of his family and staff as one of the reasons behind his decision, which he did minutes after learning that the case was raffled to his sala. The case is expected to be re-raffled on Thursday.
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Malacañang and Interior and Local Government Secretary Ronaldo Puno, meanwhile, vowed to provide sufficient protection to the judge who would receive the case, a report on ANC said.
The province of Maguindanao was placed under martial rule on December 4 to quell what Justice Secretary Agnes Devanadera said was a “rebellion in the offing" allegedly led by the Arroyo-allied Ampatuan clan and their supporters.
At the same time, Devanadera said that the judicial system in the province was no longer functioning because judges feared for their lives.
Martial law, which drew storms of criticisms, seven petitions in the Supreme Court, and a joint congressional hearing, was lifted last Saturday. - Aie Balagtas See/JV, GMANews.TV
At a press briefing, presidential spokesman on economic affairs Gary Olivar said Cortez’s reluctance to handle the Ampatuan case should serve as the “factual basis" for President Gloria Arroyo's Proclamation 1959.
"If even a sitting judge in far away Quezon City would be so concerned over the malign reach of the perpetrators of this crime, one can only imagine how little could have been done to protect public safety, uphold government, and administer justice right in the middle of the killing fields, without the extraordinary powers conferred upon the authorities by martial law," Olivar said.
Cortez cited the safety of his family and staff as one of the reasons behind his decision, which he did minutes after learning that the case was raffled to his sala. The case is expected to be re-raffled on Thursday.
For the latest Philippine news stories and videos, visit GMANews.TV
Malacañang and Interior and Local Government Secretary Ronaldo Puno, meanwhile, vowed to provide sufficient protection to the judge who would receive the case, a report on ANC said.
The province of Maguindanao was placed under martial rule on December 4 to quell what Justice Secretary Agnes Devanadera said was a “rebellion in the offing" allegedly led by the Arroyo-allied Ampatuan clan and their supporters.
At the same time, Devanadera said that the judicial system in the province was no longer functioning because judges feared for their lives.
Martial law, which drew storms of criticisms, seven petitions in the Supreme Court, and a joint congressional hearing, was lifted last Saturday. - Aie Balagtas See/JV, GMANews.TV
