The Court of Appeals (CA) has junked the petition of ex-ARMM Gov. Zaldy Ampatuan to reverse the decision of the Quezon City Regional Trial Court that denied him bail for murder charges. Ampatuan, who was facing 58 counts of murder, claimed that the Quezon City RTC Branch 221 Judge Jocelyn Solis-Reyes had gravely abused her discretion when she denied him of bail. “Herein petitioner (Ampatuan) was unquestionably charged with 58 counts of a capital offense of murder which, at the same time of its commission as well as application for bail, is punishable by reclusion perpetua to death,” the CA stressed. In appealing for bail, Ampatuan argued that he was entitled to bail because the evidence of guilt against him was purportedly not strong.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer May 09, 2018 08:15 UTC