Andal Jr. told: Look for new lawyer

MANILA, Philippines - The Quezon City judge handling the Maguindanao massacre trial has given primary suspect Andal Ampatuan Jr. three weeks to find a new lawyer. 

In a three-page order issued yesterday, Regional Trial Court Branch 221 Judge Jocelyn Solis-Reyes allowed lawyer Salvador Panelo to withdraw as counsel for Ampatuan in the middle of the latter’s presentation of evidence in his bail plea. 

The judge made the order despite her earlier inclination to defer the withdrawal of Panelo as it could further delay proceedings. 

“The court is constrained to take positive action on the withdrawal of appearance filed by said counsel to avoid technicalities,” read the ruling. 

“This ruling is made despite the observation of the prosecution that ‘the timing (of the withdrawal) is quite suspect’ as the same is made two weeks before the termination of the rebuttal evidence,” it added. 

She scheduled five days in January 2016 for Ampatuan to finish the presentation of evidence. 

Panelo withdrew as counsel upon the request of Ampatuan, who cited “personal reasons” when asked why he cut ties with his lawyer.

Last year, the Fortun Narvasa & Salazar law firm withdrew as counsel for the Ampatuans for still unknown reasons.

Panelo took over, saying he was doing it for free.