SC stops arrest of ex-Palawan governor

Ortega Slay Case

MANILA, Philippines — The Supreme Court (SC) has stopped a local court in Palawan from implementing a warrant for the arrest of former governor Joel Reyes in connection with the murder of radio broadcaster Gerry Ortega in 2011.

SC spokesman Brian Keith Hosaka yesterday confirmed to journalists that the high court’s Second Division issued a temporrary restraining order (TRO), preventing the Puerto Princesa Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 52 from implementing the warrant against Reyes.

Hosaka said he has yet to secure a copy of the TRO, which was reportedly issued on March 23.

Joaquin Hizon, Reyes’ legal counsel, said the TRO was a result of their request for the high court to reconsider their petition to review.

The petition seeks to overturn an earlier decision issued by the Court of Appeals, which reinstated the murder charges against Reyes.

The arrest warrant against Reyes was issued by the Palawan RTC in July 2021.

Reyes and his brother, Coron Mayor Mario Reyes, have been accused of masterminding the murder of Ortega, a staunch critic of the Reyeses.

Ortega, a veterinarian, was shot dead near his clinic in Puerto Princesa on Jan. 24, 2011.

Reyes was tagged by his former security aide Rodolfo Edrad Jr. as the brains of the murder.

Reyes, who was Palawan’s chief executive from 2001 to 2011, is running for governor in the May 9 general elections. His brother is seeking a third term as mayor.