Gerald Bantag, suspendedBureau of Corrections director-general (File photo) MANILA - Prosecutors conducting the preliminary investigation into the murder case against cashiered Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) director general Gerald Bantag said Tuesday they have denied a motion for reconsideration for the Department of Justice (DOJ) to back off and refer the case to the Office of the Ombudsman. Senior Assistant State Prosecutor Charlie Guhit confirmed to the media that the prosecution panel has "issued an order denying the motion for reconsideration filed by Bantag." Bantag and other respondents, including persons deprived of liberty, have until Feb. 8 to formally dispute the charges arising from the death of broadcaster Percival "Ka Percy Lapid " Mabasa and inmate Jun Villamor in October last year. Villamor was the supposed middleman in the alleged murder-for-hire contract. Guhit said if the defense side fails to file counter-affidavits, the prosecution may opt to su