THE Quezon City Regional Trial Court on Monday rejected the plea of government prosecutors to reverse its decision granting bail to one of the accused police officers in the Nov. 23, 2009 Maguindanao massacre case.
In a three-page order, Branch 221 Judge Jocelyn Reyes denied the partial motion for reconsideration filed by the prosecution panel due to lack of merit.
The prosecution led by Assistant City Prosecutor Archimedes Manabat asked for the reconsideration of the Sept. 22, 2015 order of Reyes allowing the bail petition of PO1 Sandy Sabang.
In granting Sabang’s bail plea, Reyes ruled that not one of the testimonies or exhibits presented by the prosecution had linked Sabang to the killing of 58 persons, including 32 journalists, on Nov. 23, 2009.
Prosecution averred the court’s process and reasoning in granting bail to Sabang was seriously flawed.
“The presence of accused Sabang during the alleged meeting conducted on Nov. 22, 2009 at the farm of Andal Ampatuan Sr., is not innocent,” the prosecution’s motion’s read.
In denying the appeal, Reyes said the prosecution was not able to present a legal basis on their argument on mere presence of Sabang in a meeting.
“Thus, during the trial on the merits, parties must then demonstrate whether the accused is indeed innocent or guilty of the crimes charged.”