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Palace impressed by lady judge's decision to handle Ampatuan case


Malacañang has expressed admiration for Quezon City Judge Jocelyn Solis-Reyes who had agreed to handle the murder case against Datu Unsay mayor Andal Ampatuan Jr. believed to be behind the Nov. 23 massacre 57 people, including 31 media workers. Deputy presidential spokesman Gary Olivar on Friday said Reyes "is clearly more ready to face the risk." "We wish the lady judge more power and good luck as she takes this new assignment and we are...especially impressed that she has already indicated that she does not think she will be needing any personal security," he said. Nevertheless, Olivar said the government would be ready to provide security to Reyes if "the situation changes" and if she feels she already needs protection. The Palace spokesman said Reyes' decision "is an auspicious start to what we hope would be fair, impartial, and speedy rendering of justice." Olivar made the statement after Luisito Cortez, judge of the Quezon City Regional Trial Court - Branch 84, decided to inhibit himself from handling the case. Press Secretary Cerge Remonde earlier said that Cortez's decision to turn down the case due to fears for his life had justified the declaration of martial law in Maguindanao. He said no judge in Mindanao wanted to approve applications for warrants of arrests and searches against members of the Ampatuan clan. - GMANews.TV

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