Don't blame the court for Maguindanao massacre trial delay, judge says

MANILA, Philippines - Judge Jocelyn Solis-Reyes rejected yesterday criticisms that the Maguindanao massacre trial was being delayed at Branch 221 of the Quezon City Regional Trial Court.

“Don’t blame it all on the court,” she said.

Solis-Reyes said the “delays” are actually part of judicial procedure as the murder trial is progressing.

“If nothing’s happening, then what is written in our transcripts and our (court) records?” she said in Tagalog.

“It doesn’t seem right. The case is moving forward. The prosecution is presenting its evidence and the case is being heard. Can you say nothing is happening?”

Solis-Reyes said she hopes to hand out a verdict before the end of the term of President Aquino in 2016.

“Perhaps they think of it as delays,” she said, stressing that it was the first time in Philippine court history to hear such a case. “What do they want, an instant decision?”

She is open for the public to attend hearings and view court records, she added.

Solis-Reyes agreed to an interview with select reporters on Thursday evening.

She said she was not harboring any ill feelings towards those criticizing the court.

It was well within their freedom of expression, she added.

Solis-Reyes asked critics to give the whole picture when they give interviews to the media.

“They shouldn’t give just half of the information, but the whole picture,” she said.

Solis-Reyes said the defense has filed before the Court of Appeals and the Supreme Court a number of pleadings preventing the presentation of prosecution witnesses.

Lawyers of Andal Ampatuan Jr. are blocking the testimony of prosecution witness Kenny Dalandag, whom they want included as an accused, she added.

Solis-Reyes said she was not reading the papers nor watching news on television.

“I’m just a human being, somehow I’m affected,” she said.

“But I’m not mad at them. I just felt it’s about time that I should say something.”

Solis-Reyes said she does not owe anyone an explanation except when the Supreme Court directs her to explain herself.