Lawyers in Maguindanao massacre case told: 'Stop acting like judges'

Raising her voice, the Quezon City judge hearing the Maguindanao massacre case on Wednesday scolded defense and prosecution lawyers for allegedly "acting like judges." Judge Jocelyn Solis-Reyes blew her top after prosecution and defense lawyers accused each other of lying and withholding information to the court. Lawyer Sigfrid Fortun, legal counsel for principal suspects Andal Ampatuan Sr and Andal Ampatuan Jr, criticized prosecutor Nestor Lazaro for not informing the defense during direct examination that prosecution witness Corporal Zaldy Raymundo had executed an affidavit. In response, Lazaro told the court: "The defense lawyer is lying and suppressing evidence." Fortun fired back: "Atty. Lazaro is the one doubly lying and doubly suppressing evidence." Initially, Solis-Reyes stepped in and said the Raymundo's affidavit had been marked at the time of the old prosecution panel headed by Assistant State Prosecutor Richard Fadullon. Besides, the judge said, it was the prerogative of the prosecution not to say during direct examination whether a witness had previously executed an affidavit or not. When another defense lawyer, Paris Real, suddenly stood up during the heated exchange to say something, the judge shouted at him: "No! No! I will not allow you [to speak]," said the judge while pointing her finger at him. Real only wanted to inform the court that his camp has not received a copy of Raymundo's affidavit. Later on in the hearing, Fortun objected once more to Lazaro's questioning another defense lawyer, Abdulkalim Askali, while cross examining Raymundo. The prosecution said Fortun should reserve his objection when it was his turn for cross examination. Fortun responded: "They [prosecutors] are not sanctioned, that's why they continue to act that way. The court should sanction the counsels." Annoyed by the feuding counsels, Solis-Reyes requested both camps to just let things go and instead proceed with the cross examination. However, Fortun insisted that disobedient lawyers during the trial should be sanctioned. Talking to Fortun, Solis-Reyes said: "Okay then, from now on, I will be sanctioning those who will not follow my instructions." But Fortun told the judge: "You should also tell that to the prosecution." Raising her voice, Solis-Reyes said "I don't need to. Obviously, with my voice, everyone can hear it!" Pausing for a few seconds, the judge continued: "You want me to be strict? Okay, I will be strict. I was being lenient all these time! But now, I will be strict... I will sanction anyone who will not be following instructions from this court." Though not directing her statements at anyone, the judge said: "The problem here is you are acting like you are the judge... Whether you are disrespectful or not, I do not need to speak about it. Anyway, that is already on record." — LBG, GMA News