Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 16) – The Supreme Court’s (SC) First Division ordered a Puerto Princesa court to re-arrest former Palawan Gov. Mario Joel Reyes for the 2011 murder of broadcaster and environmentalist Dr. Geraldo “Gerry” Ortega.
It also ordered the Palawan Regional Trial Court (RTC) to continue with the murder case against Reyes, who was implicated as the mastermind behind the 2011 killing but has denied involvement.
Ortega, a radio commentator of RMN Palawan, reported on alleged corruption and misuse of funds within the provincial government which later became part of the Malampaya fund scam. On January 24, 2011, the broadcaster was shot in the back of the head while visiting an ukay-ukay store in Puerto Princesa.
“The Regional Trial Court, Branch 52, Puerto Princesa City, Palawan, is hereby ordered to (1) cause the immediate re-arrest and detention of petitioner Mario Joel T. Reyes; and (2) continue with the proceedings in Criminal Case No. 26839 with utmost dispatch,” the high court said in a resolution promulgated July 12, but made public on July 16.
In January 2018, the Court of Appeals (CA) dismissed the murder case against Reyes and ordered his release on the grounds that the “RTC gravely abused its discretion when it ruled that there was probable cause for the issuance of a warrant of arrest against petitioner [Reyes].”
Related: SolGen to CA: Order re-arrest of ex-Palawan governor Joel Reyes
In November 2019, the CA amended its decision and overturned the ruling. It reinstated the murder charges against Reyes and directed the Palawan RTC to arrest him.
However, in 2021, Reyes petitioned that a temporary restraining order (TRO) be issued against the arrest warrant pending the final adjudication of the murder case, which the SC granted in 2022.
In its latest decision, the high court denied Reyes’ petition to reverse the CA’s ruling, affirmed the decision calling for his detention, and lifted the 2022 TRO on the arrest warrant against Reyes.
Meanwhile, the family of Ortega welcomed the order to re-arrest Reyes.
“Our family is thankful that the Supreme Court sided with truth and justice. We have long hoped and prayed for the trial to continue. This fair decision restores our faith that, one day, we will find justice,” they said in a statement.
CNN Philippines’ senior correspondent Anjo Alimario contributed to this report.
