NUJP and PTFOMS laud OSG petition to bring back ex-palawan gov to trial

THE National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) on Monday welcomed the move of the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) to have former Palawan Gov. Joel Reyes re-arrested and face trial as principal suspect in the murder of anti-corruption crusader, staunch environmentalist and broadcaster Dr. Gerry Ortega in Puerto Princesa City in 2011.

Likewise, the Presidential Task Force on Media Security also expressed its support for the OSG’S petition filed before the Supreme Court seeking to lift the temporary restraining order (TRO) it issued enjoining the Puerto Princesa City Regional Trial Court (RTC) from implementing its arrest warrant against Reyes.

Aside from the lifting of the TRO, the OSG has also asked the Court to dismiss Reyes’ petition for review on certiorari, which seeks to reverse and set aside the November 28, 2019 amended decision of the Court of Appeals’ Special Former Eleventh Division that ordered the Puerto Princesa City RTC, Branch 52, to reinstate the murder case against Reyes and issue a warrant of arrest against the former governor.

PTFOMS chief Undersecretary Joel M. Sy Egco expressed the belief that the evidence of guilt of former Palawan Governor Mario Joel Reyes is strong which may warrant his return to jail and prosecution.

“The Presidential Task Force shares the sentiments of the OSG in its motion to lift the TRO, which is preventing the re-arrest of the former governor. We believe that the evidence of guilt is strong in the criminal case filed against Reyes in connection with the slaying of Gerry Ortega,” PTFOMS chief Undersecretary Joel M. Sy Egco said, in a statement.

“I have full trust and confidence with the OSG, as a member agency of PTFOMS, in its commitment to attaining justice for this heinous act. The task force will not stand idly by until all those responsible for the killing of Ortega, including the masterminds, are put behind bars,” he added.

Meanwhile, the NUJP noted that the OSG has argued that there are “essential requisites” for the issuance of a temporary restraining order and “these are not present in this case.”

“These are legal arguments, but we hold to a more basic reason for his arrest: A murder suspect who can evade arrest and go about his political business can influence the case and while Reyes may be within his rights to run for office, it is likely that he does not have the right to do it outside of government custody,” NUJP said.

On the other hand, international journalist group Safer World for the Truth said it welcomes the request from the OSG to the SC to “order the immediate re-arrest and detention” of the former Palawan governor.

“The recent TRO on the implementation of the arrest warrant, which was issued by Puerto Princesa City Regional Trial Court—has been characteristic of this evasion of justice. This evasion of prosecution by Joel T. Reyes constitutes impunity, and also a threat to the family of Gerry Ortega, and all other journalists in the Philippines. It sends the message that murdering a journalists can go unpunished,” the group said.

“A Safer World for the Truth, which represents Free Press Unlimited, the Committee to Protect Journalists and Reporters Without Borders, is deeply concerned with this and urges the SC of the Philippines to consider these risks and order the immediate arrest of Reyes. Thereafter, the Department of Justice should urge the Philippine National Police to prioritize the arrest of Joel T. Reyes,” it further said.

In a resolution issued last March 23, 2022, the SC issued a TRO against the implementation of the arrest warrant and from conducting further proceedings in the murder case pending the final resolution of his petition seeking to set aside the CA’S amended decision.

Reyes has been charged with murder along with his brother, former Coron town mayor Mario Reyes, and 8 others for the death of Ortega.