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Judge open to extension of bi-weekly Maguindanao massacre hearings


Despite limitations in manpower resources, the judge handling the Maguindanao multiple murder case expressed willingness to continue next year the twice-a-week hearings implemented in December. In a rare interview, Judge Jocelyn Solis-Reyes told reporters on Wednesday that even if she only has a handful of court staff members to assist her in her work, she still wants to do two hearings in a week in January. "We will try to maintain the bi-weekly hearing when trial resumes in January," said Solis-Reyes. "But right now, I only have four court stenographers, and I am still handling other cases up to now, so we will see," she said. Asked if she was in favor of being unloaded of her other cases so she could focus on the multiple murder trial, Solis-Reyes said: "It's really up to the Supreme Court." Thursday's hearing at the Quezon City Hall of Justice is the last for this year before the court goes on a Christmas break. Last month, the prosecution camp suggested that court proceedings could be held twice a week for the entire month of December to expedite the trial of the case resulting from the grisly Maguindanao massacre that killed 57 people in November 2009. The judge agreed but stressed the holding of bi-weekly hearings would only be in effect for December, and that proceedings will revert to once-a-week pace. — LBG/RSJ, GMANews.TV

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