Reyes brothers want Palawan judge to inhibit from Ortega case

Former Palawan Governor Joel Reyes. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—The two brothers accused of murdering environmentalist-broadcaster Gerry Ortega have asked Palawan Regional Trial Court Judge Angelo R. Arizala to inhibit from handling the murder case filed against them.

In their motion, former Palawan Governor Joel Reyes and his brother incumbent Coron Mayor Mario Reyes Jr said that after they were charged in court last March 16, they filed separate motions to defer proceedings as well as oppositions to the issuance of a hold-departure order sought by the private prosecutor.

However, before the court actually received copies of their reply with respect to their motions as they were filed by registered mail allowed by the rules, the Judge proceeded to deny their motions, decided that there was probable cause against the Reyes brothers and issued the warrants for their arrest.

“With all due respect, it has become evident that the Honorable Presiding Judge of this Court has consistently acted with undue haste on incidents that favor the prosecution and appears to have been partial against accused-movant, at the least, to the great prejudice of said accused,” the motion stated.

Warrants for their arrests have been issued but to date, they still cannot be located by authorities.