Solons: Reyes showed courage

Credit to Author: Tempo Desk| Date: Thu, 19 Dec 2019 09:12:47 +0000

Lawmakers yesterday hailed not only the over 700-page decision handed down by Judge Jocelyn Solis-Reyes in the infamous Maguindanao massacre case but also the feisty Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 221 magistrate herself for her display of courage and fairness.

Members of the House of Representatives said Reyes’ decision is a signal that impunity has ended or will be over soon in the country.

“Certainly, the mass killing is a test to the Philippine justice system,” said Cavite Rep. Elpidio Barzaga, president of the National Unity Party.

Barzaga said there should be “recognition of the legal prowess, commitment, and bravery of Reyes who took the responsibility of deciding the case despite the threat to her life and her family.”

However, the veteran lawmaker said the search for justice is not yet over, pointing out that after 3,678 days, at least 80 accused individuals remain at-large.

House Deputy Minority Leader Carlos Isagani Zarate said the convicted should be sent immediately to serve their sentences at the New Bilibid Prisons in Muntinlupa City and “suffer the consequences of their barbaric deeds.”

“It is truly tragic but true that the Ampatuan massacre is emblematic of the dangers posed by private armies, militias, and paramilitaries and how it became one of the pillars of the reign of impunity in our country,” he said.

Rep. Eufemia Cullamat of Bayan Muna lamented the drawn out case notwithstanding the welcome verdict.

Rep. Nina Taduran of ACT-CIS partylist, a former broadcast journalist, said justice for all the victims, including the 32 news media personnel, was finally served under the pen of Reyes.

“As we celebrate the bravery
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