AMRSP asks QC judge: Don’t uphold Agra decision on Ampatuans

A Catholic religious group on Tuesday appealed to the Quezon City judge handling the Maguindanao massacre case not to uphold Justice Secretary Alberto Agra’s decision clearing two Ampatuan clan members from the murder charges in connection with last year's mass slaughter. The Association of Major Religious Superiors in the Philippines (AMRSP) asked Judge Jocelyn Solis-Reyes to uphold judicial principles and allow the process to continue without being interrupted. "We are urging her not to uphold Agra’s decision. The case is already in court, so, why should the Department of Justice (DOJ) be allowed to preempt a decision?" AMRSP co-chairperson Sr. Mary John Mananzan said in an article on the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines news site. Lack of probable cause Agra had decided to drop charges against suspended ARMM Gov. Zaldy Ampatuan and former Maguindanao vice governor Akmad Ampatuan "for lack of probable cause." He said the two "were cleared for lack of proof that they conspired with the other accused." Asked whether it is possible that his resolution would be reversed, Agra in an interview on dzBB early Tuesday said: "Posible kung may maghahain ng motion for reconsideration at ito’y may bagong maipe-presenta laban sa resolusyon (it is possible if a motion for reconsideration would be filed, and that such can present new evidence)." According to him, prosecutors were likely to file a motion for reconsideration on his resolution, saying he is expecting that within the week. "They have 15 days to file a motion. Sa tingin ko, bibilisan nila yan (I think they would do so as soon as possible)," Agra added. On the other hand, the AMRSP noted the Quezon City Regional Trial Court has the power whether to order the release of the respondents. "Let the court proceedings go on and so [pieces of] evidence can be presented and a just ruling could be issued," Mananzan said. On the same interview on dzBB, Agra clarified that the two Ampatuans would still stay in detention as "there is proper judicial process on the case." — LBG/RSJ, GMANews.TV