Sandiganbayan orders arrest of ex-Palawan governor for graft

January 29, 2018

The Sandiganbayan Third Division has ordered the arrest of former Palawan Gov. Joel Reyes after it dismissed a motion for reconsideration seeking to reverse his graft conviction last August over alleged anomalous renewal of small-scale mining permits.

"Let a warrant of arrest be issued against accused Joel T. Reyes," the anti-graft division said in an 18-page ruling Monday. Reyes presented himself to the Sandiganbayan later in the day.

The Sandiganbayan Third division cited Reyes’ previous escape to Thailand over his alleged involvement in the killing of broadcaster and environmentalist Gerry Ortega as basis to order his arrest.

The Court of Appeals, however, cleared Reyes of murder raps against Ortega on January 6.

“In ordering the revocation of the grant of bail to accused Reyes, the Court is also guided by the teaching of the Supreme Court that after conviction by the trial court, the presumption of innocence terminates and, accordingly, the constitutional rights to bail ends,” said the resolution. “…. there is indeed a distinct probability that he would once again escape considering that the Court already found him guilty and ordered his imprisonment for more than six years.”

Last August, the anti-graft division found Reyes guilty of graft and sent him to prison for six to eight years with perpetual disqualification from holding another government post and currently appealing the verdict.

The case stemmed from Reyes’ alleged unlawful approval of the Small-Scale Mining Permit (SSMP) of Olympic Mines and Development Corp (OMDC) in Puerto Princesa on April 6, 2006 even if a prior permit is in effect and despite alleged violations by the mining firm of conditions of its permit. DMS