Ivler murder trial has new judge

MANILA, Philippines -  The murder case against road rage suspect Jason Ivler has been raffled anew to a new Quezon City judge after the previous judge inhibited himself from it.

The case was raffled off to Judge Luisito Cortez of the Regional Trial Court Branch 84 last week.

Ivler is facing murder charges for allegedly shooting Renato Victor Ebarle, a son of a former Malacañang official, during a traffic altercation in Quezon City in November 2009.

Cortez will be the third judge to handle the raps against Ivler. Judges Alexander Balut of Branch 76 and Bayani Vargas of Branch 219 have also inhibited themselves from the case following petitions filed by Ivler’s camp, which claimed the judges were biased.

Cortez earlier declined hearing the Ampatuan multiple murder case for security reasons when the case was raffled off to him in 2009.