MANILA-The panel of prosecutors hearing the murder cases against suspended Bureau of Corrections (Bucor) Director General Gerald Bantag has thrown out the prisons chief's motion for the Department of Justice (DOJ) to recuse itself from the proceedings. In an order dated Jan. 17, the panel said it is not granting the motion filed by Bantag's lawyers for state prosecutors to inhibit from the case and to allow the Ombudsman to take over the preliminary investigation. "In sum, while motions for inhibition, especially those anchored on aspersions of grave prejudice and partiality, are granted with the ultimate purpose and idea of maintaining the integrity and faith of the parties in our justice system, no room for inhibition can be had in these cases," the order said. The DOJ panel added that there had been "no violation of Bantag's right to due process to be heard" and the DOJ panel "continue(s) to remain independent and impartial in hearing these cases