Former Palawan governor to appeal jail verdict by Sandiganbayan: counsel

August 31, 2017

Former Palawan governor Joel Reyes will appeal the ruling of the Sandiganbayan Third Division’s verdict of six to eight year jail term on graft charges, his lawyer Ferdinand Topacio said on Thursday.

“As of now we are preparing our our motion for reconsideration because we believe that the the decision of the Sandigan, with all due respect is contrary to law ...and the facts of the case,” Topacio said in a phone interview Thursday.

On Tuesday, the Sandiganbayan meted out a jail term of six to eight years for Reyes over an illegal small-scale mining permit in Puerto Princesa in 2006 while acquitting Andronico Baguyo, then Provincial Mining and Regulatory Board head.

"Accused Andronico Baguyo is acquitted of the crime charged for failure of the prosecution to establish his guilt beyond reasonable doubt," said the decision signed by Associate Justice Sarah Jane Fernandez, with concurrences from Presiding Justice Amparo Cabotaje-Tang and Associate Justice Bernelito Fernandez.

“The finding is that,Governor Reyes is guilty of gross and inexcusable negligence. How can it be gross gross and inexcusable negligence if he rely on the findings of the proper agencies that have the technical expertise to recommend either approval or disapproval, and the recommendation was the mining permit be approved,” Topacio said.

Reyes was charged in 2011 for issuing a renewed small-scale mining permit in April 2006 to Olympic Mines and Development Corporation (OMDC), despite the company's alleged violations.

Reyes is now detained at the Puerto Princesa City Jail for being the alleged mastermind of radio broadcaster Gerry Ortega’s murder. He is also facing separate graft charges over alleged misuse of P1.5 billion Malampaya funds. DMS