LAWYERS of Datu Unsay Mayor Andal Ampatuan, Jr.  asked Quezon City Judge Jocelyn Solis-Reyes to inhibit from the multiple murder case citing alleged bias.

Defense lawyer Sigfrid Fortun filed a motion to inhibit on Tuesday citing Reyes’ alleged disregard  for the rules on evidence.         “There is serious or gross misconduct when judicial acts complained of were corrupt or inspired by an intention to violate the law or were in persistent disregard of well-known legal rules,” he said.

Government and private prosecutors said they will contest the motion.

“She is a very fair judge. We believe she is very strict and has shown she’s very impartial,” said private prosecutor Nena Santos, who described the defense’s motion as another tactic to delay the case.

“Masyado nga siyang istrikto. Ang dami naming gustong ipasok na ebidensiya eh kailangan pa namin ng Smart  eh nandiyan naman ang cellphone ni Toto para makita kung talagang tumawag.

“Ang daming nire-raise ng accused na hindi kami makalusot so  nasan ang pagiging partial ni Judge diyan?” she asked.

Maguindanao gubernatorial candidate Esmael ‘Toto’ Mangudadatu, who lost his wife and two sisters in the massacre, said the judge is not likely to inhibit herself from the case.

“Napaka-fair naman niya. Siya pa nga ang napaka-istrikto sa amin. Wala kaming nakikitang mali ,” he said.

Reyes ordered the deferment of yesterday’s hearing to Feb. 24. She gave the defense and the prosecution 10 days to file their respective motions.

Senior State Prosecutor Juan Pedro Navera refused to comment on the motion, saying they have yet to see it.