Press Release
December 18, 2009

Pia lauds lady judge's display of courage, professionalism

Senator Pia S. Cayetano today hailed Judge Jocelyn Solis-Reyes of the Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 221 for readily taking on the challenge of handling the trial of Andal Ampatuan Jr. and several others for the November 23 massacre in Maguindanao, which claimed the lives of 57 civilians, most of whom were women.

"Judge Jocelyn Solis-Reyes should be lauded for her courage and professionalism. She is an inspiration to all and a good example to our youth, especially young girls," said Cayetano, Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Social Justice.

"With this development, I join our people in expressing hope and confidence for the swift delivery of justice for all the victims and their loved ones."

"But even while Judge Solis-Reyes refused the security personnel being offered to her, it is still the State's duty to ensure her safety and that of her family in view of the sensitive nature of the case."

The President of the Committee of Women Parliamentarians of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), Cayetano has consistently pushed for the empowerment of women and giving them equal opportunities as men, whether at work or in gaining access to quality education as provided under the Magna Carta of Women (RA 9710).

She added that while women may be a minority in high government positions, including in the judiciary, many of them have shown the capacity to excel and rise to the occasion when given the right opportunity.

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