MANILA, Philippines – Former Palawan Governor Joel Reyes, currently in jail for the murder of an environmental activist, has asked the anti-graft court Sandiganbayan to order the jail warden allow him to attend trial for his graft case in connection with a mining permit he issued in 2008.
In an urgent motion, Reyes asked the 3rd division of the Sandiganbayan to direct the warden of the Puerto Princesa city jail to produce him before the court, citing 3 Sandiganbayan orders which required his lawyers to produce him in person for the proceedings.
Reyes and former Palawan Provincial Mining Regulatory Board secretariat head Andronico Baguyo are accused of illegally granting permits to a small-scale mining firm in 2008, ignoring reports of the firm's over-extraction and the use of heavy equipment.
In the motion filed through his lawyers, Reyes said he was directed to appear before the court for two consecutive trial days, on November 11 and 12.
“When accused, however, showed the said latest notice to the jail warden of the City Jail of Puerto Princesa City, and informed him of his intention to heed the subpoena, the jail warden manifested that he would need an order from this Court for such purpose,” Reyes’ counsel said.
The former Palawan official said he is willing to attend other required proceedings, and to "defray any and all expenses" required for his trip from the city jail to the court in Quezon City.
Reyes is currently detained at the Puerto Princesa city jail along with his brother, former Coron Mayor Mario Reyes.
The two are the principal suspects in the murder of broadcaster and environmentalist Gerry Ortega in January 2011, who exposed corruption in Palawan. (READ: Timeline: Gerry Ortega murder case)
The brothers went into hiding for more than 3 years, flying out of the country in March 2012. They were arrested by Thai authorities in September at a resort in Phuket, Thailand. – Rappler.com