MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Justice (DOJ) will elevate the Quezon City Regional Trial Court’s decision granting bail to Sajid Islam Ampatuan, one of the principal accused in the Maguindanao massacre case, to the Court of Appeals.
“I already gave instructions to the panel thru Prosecutor General Claro Arellano to avail of the proper remedy ASAP,” de Lima said Monday in a text message to reporters.
Arellano, meanwhile said he would be meeting with the panel of prosecutors on Tuesday to discuss their action.
QC RTC Presiding Judge Jocelyn Solis-Reyes issued the release order for Sajid Ampatuan after she denied the government’s motion for reconsideration to reverse her January ruling that granted Ampatuan’s prayer for bail.
BACKSTORY: Sajid Ampatuan granted bail
With the denial of the motion for reconsideration, the prosecution’s next recourse is to take the case to the appeals court.