Judge allows confinement extension of Zaldy

Quezon City Regional Trial Court Judge Jocelyn Solis-Reyes on Thursday granted the request of suspended Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao governor Zaldy Ampatuan to be confined further at the Philippine Heart Center until Friday.

Reyes' ruling was given about seven in the evening.

The Bureau of Jail Management and Penology was ready to bring Ampatuan back to jail on Thursday if the ruling did not come out.

Dr. Danny Kuizon, Ampatuan's attending physician issued to the recommendation and this was presented to the Judge by his lawyers.

Ampatuan's lawyer J. Ricardo Moreno said that his client was currently stable but still showing signs of heart failure.

Meanwhile, presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda expressed his dismay with the court's decision.

"We wanted Mr. Zaldy Ampatuan back in detention last (Wednesday) night," Lacierda said.

"Although they (BJMP) are under us, there is a court procedure. If Harry feels strongly that they should be cited for contempt, and he has already filed a motion to cite them for contempt, then let it be so. Let them defend themselves. Let the BJMP explain their actions, and the court will render decision based on her appreciation of the various pleadings," he added.

Justice Secretary Leila De Lima on the other hand said that the Department of Justice will strive to investigate on the Ampatuan's real illness. — ARA