Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — Former Palawan Gov. Joel Reyes and his brother, Mario, came face to face with the family of slain environmentalist and journalist Gerry Ortega for the first time.
The Reyes brothers were brought to the Palawan Regional Trial court Friday morning (October 2) for their arraignment on the murder case.
Related: Malacañan probes special treatment for Reyes brothers
However, they refused to enter a plea so the court entered a “not guilty” plea for them.
Handcuffed and wearing similar yellow detainee shirts and bulletproof vests, the Reyes brothers did not show any reaction even as the Ortega family turned emotional.
Related: No special treatment for Reyes brothers, says jail official
Ortega’s daughter Mika said they felt the pain of her father’s murder all over again upon seeing the main suspects and supposed masterminds of the crime.
A pre-trial conference and bail petition is set on December 3.
Ortega was slain in broad daylight in 2011.
Related: Gerry Ortega slay case timeline
Related: Ortega murder: Long road to justice
