De Lima hits presscon privilege given to Reyes brothers

MANILA, Philippines — Justice Secretary Leila De Lima on Monday condemned the jail warden of Puerto Princesa City Jail for allowing former Palawan Gov. Joel Reyes and his brother, former Coron, Palawan Mayor Mario Reyes to hold a press conference inside the facility last Saturday.

De Lima said the Reyes brothers needed to secure a permission from the court first before they can hold a press conference since they are detention prisoners and under the court’s jurisdiction.

The former officials of Palawan conducted the press conference on Saturday, after they were deported from Thailand for overstaying. The Reyes brothers are suspects in the killing of environmentalist and broadcaster Gerry Ortega on Jan. 24, 2011.

The justice secretary described the detention prisoners as similar to convicted prisoners which are considered as persons deprived of liberty and have restricted rights.

De Lima said that she already spoke with the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Mel Sarmiento, who immediately ordered to probe the incident and the relief from the post of the city jail warden.

On Sunday, the Palace said the Reyes brothers are detention prisoners and assured that the Department of Justice and the DILG are already looking into the case.