DOJ chief denies blaming judge for Zaldy’s furlough

MANILA, Philippines — Department of Justice (DOJ) Secretary Menardo Guevarra yesterday denied reports that he blamed a Quezon City judge for granting furlough to former Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao governor Zaldy Ampatuan. 

 “I never said the court should be blamed. I respect the court’s exercise of judicial discretion,” Guevarra said.

 Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 221 Judge Jocelyn Solis-Reyes gave Ampatuan a three-hour furlough, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Aug. 21, to attend the wedding of his daughter Bay Nor Aila Kristina at a five-star hotel in Pasay City.

 He is currently detained at the Quezon City Jail Annex at Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City.

 In a three-page order earlier released by the DOJ, the local court cited humanitarian considerations in granting Ampatuan’s request despite opposition from government prosecutors.

 “It is a momentous family occasion, which must be witnessed by the couple’s loved ones, especially the accused,” the court ruling read.        

 Ampatuan is accused of masterminding the 2009 Ampatuan massacre that left 58 persons, including 32 media workers, dead.

 The DOJ said the charges against Ampatuan and 194 other accused had been submitted for resolution by the court – except for the cases of his brother, former Datu Unsay mayor Andal Ampatuan Jr., and two others.

 The clan’s patriarch, former Maguindanao governor Andal Ampatuan Sr., died in detention in July 2015.

 Guevarra has vowed to resolve the massacre case by next year.