Chief Justice Reynato S. Puno has ordered Quezon City Regional Trial Court Executive Judge Ofelia Marquez to reraffle the Ampatuan multiple murder case at 2 p.m. today (Thursday) after Quezon City Judge Luisito Cortez, inhibited himself from the case citing security reasons.

Cortez’s actions after the multiple murder case against Datu Unsay Mayor Andal Ampatuan Jr. and companions was raffled to his sala Tuesday apparently did not sit well with the Chief Justice, who visited the QC-RTC Wednesday morning.

Supreme Court Deputy Spokesperson lawyer Gleo Guerra said the Chief Justice, along with Court Administrator Jose Perez, met with all the magistrates of Quezon City and had a talk with Cortez, who reportedly explained his reasons for inhibiting.

Guerra said she was not sure whether the Chief Justice accepted Cortez’ reasons wholeheartedly.

Cortez is currently trying the murder case filed against former Abra Gov. Vicente Valera who is accused of killing then Abra Representative Luis Bersamin and his aide Senior Police Officer 1 Adelfo Ortega on December 16, 2006.

Guerra added that during the surprise visit of Chief Justice Puno, some magistrates volunteered to handle the case “but the Chief Justice wanted the proper procedure so he ordered a reraffle.”

She added that the Chief Justice and the QC-RTC judges agreed that there would be “no immediate inhibition” regarding the Ampatuan case and vowed to discuss Cortez’s case before the Court en banc.

Asked to comment, acting Justice Secretary Agnes Devanadera said if she were Cortez “I would find another job dahil hindi tama ’yung pag inhibit niya.”

Devanadera said the government can provide the judges security, saying threats come with the territory.

“Let me make this point clear: In a job like ours, such risks are part of the territory. So I hope the judge reconsiders his decision," Devanadera said.

She also urged Cortez to reconsider his decision to inhibit himself.

Devanadera said that though risks to one's life attend careers in law, judges and prosecutors should not turn away from their duties to serve justice.