CORON, Palawan, Philippines – Brothers Joel and Mario Reyes, the primary suspects in the murder of journalist and environmental activist Gerry Ortega, filed their certificates of candidacy (COCs) here on Thursday.
Joel, the former governor of the province, will run for mayor of Coron town, while his brother Mario will run for vice mayor of the same municipality.
The Reyes brothers were able to file their COCs despite being detained at the Puerto Princesa City Jail for Ortega’s murder.
The brothers gave Coron local government administrator Lyle Coruna a special power of attorney to file the COCs on their behalf, according to the town’s election officer.
Their lawyer Ferdinand Topacio argued that only a final judgment by conviction could prevent the Reyes brothers from seeking elective office.
He said even the martyred former senator Benigno Aquino Jr. was able to file his candidacy and campaign while in detention. Topacio though conceded the Reyes brothers would have a hard time campaigning from behind bars.
“They will be doing their campaign by remote control. It would be hard but let the people decide,” Topacio said.
Joel will go against incumbent Coron Vice Mayor Jim Gerald Pe, who is running for mayor under the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC), and Coron Councilor Ajerico Barracoso, who is also running for mayor under the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA). – Mike Frialde