Judge sets deadline for Ampatuans to find a lawyer

MANILA, Philippines -  The Quezon City judge handling the Maguindanao massacre trial has set the final deadline for 12 suspects – including members of the Ampatuan clan – to find new lawyers to represent them in multiple murder case.

 “(The accused are given) until Sept. 17 within which to secure the services of new counsels who will represent them in these cases, with a warning that should they fail to do so after the lapse of said period, the court shall be constrained to appoint a counsel who will represent them,” said Judge Jocelyn Solis-Reyes in an order released yesterday.

The two-page order of the judge covers seven members of the Ampatuan clan, including patriarch Andal Sr.; his sons Andal Jr., Sajid, and Anwar; his son-in-law Akmad; and grandsons Datu Ulo and Datu Ipi.

Also without lawyers are Moktar Daud, Taya Bangkulat, Salik Bangkulat, Not Abdul, and Nasser Esmail.

In a text message to The STAR, lawyer J. Ricardo Moreno of the Abbas law firm said they are currently negotiating their possible entry as lead defense counsels for Andal Sr. and Akmad.

The Abbas law firm is a collaborating counsel for Zaldy Ampatuan, another accused in the massacre. Zaldy’s lead counsel is the Heffron Esguerra Dy & De Jesus law firm.

In her order, Solis-Reyes said it is proper to give the suspects a last chance to services of new counsels “in order not to further delay the proceedings.”

She noted that Andal Sr. and Andal Jr. are scheduled to present evidence in their respective bail petitions.