The names of the victims of the Nov. 23, 2009 Maguindanao massacre are written on markers at the carnage site in Barangay Salman, Ampatuan town in Maguindanao. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines—The Supreme Court has designated a third assisting judge to help in the Maguindanao massacre case.
Under Administrative Order No. 02-2014 made public Thursday, Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno designated Judge Genie G. Gapas-Agbada of Virac, Catanduanes Regional Trial Court Branch 42.
Gapas-Agbada is also acting as presiding judge of RTC Quezon City Branch 100 to help Judge Jocelyn Solis-Reyes of RTC Branch 221 in the Maguindanao massacre case.
Gapas-Agbada has been tasked to handle non-trial incidents such as arraignments and pre-trials.
She is also authorized by the high court to rule on incidents and motions that do not delve on the merits of the case.
“Judge Agbada is likewise authorized to use her discretion in deciding whether to resolve the aforesaid incidents and motions despite the pendency of these matters in the higher courts,” the high court said.
She is also required to submit a monthly accomplishment report to the Court Administrator.
The other assisting judge designated by the high court is handling other pending cases before QCRTC Branch 221 unrelated to the Maguindanao massacre case.
In 2013, the high court took note of the measures taken by Judge Reyes for the speedy resolution of the massacre trial but noted that more measures were needed.
Records showed that out of 560 motions, manifestations and petitions filed related to the case, the lower court has resolved 427.
The court has heard 139 witnesses on trials conducted thrice a week while the remaining days are for resolving motions, manifestations and petitions.
Out of 194 accused, 104 have been arraigned, 66 have pending petition for bail and represented by 39 sets of counsels.
Records of the case have reached 109 volumes including 71 volumes of case records and 38 volumes of transcripts of stenographic notes.
Aside from designating a third assisting judge, the high court also allowed the use of judicial affidavit for the testimonies of the remaining witnesses.
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