Reyes' son declared Taguig congressman

MANILA, Philippines - The House of Representatives Electorial Tribunal (HRET) has declared Angelito “Jett” Reyes as the duly elected congressman of Taguig’s second district.

Reyes is a son of Energy Secretary Angelo Reyes, who is also eyeing a House seat as a party-list representative.

In a unanimous 37-page decision written by Supreme Court Associate Justice Renato Corona, HRET chairman, the tribunal declared the younger Reyes to have won in the 2007 congressional race by just 37 votes over Henry Duenas.

After the vote revision in 729 contested precincts, the tribunal credited Reyes with 26,967 votes against Duenas’ 26,930, or a difference of 37 votes.

Aside from Corona, those who signed the decision were Associate Justices Presbitero Velasco and Teresita de Castro, and the six congressmen sitting in the tribunal – Mauricio Domogan of Baguio City, Roberto Cajes of Bohol, Florencio Miraflores of Aklan, Fredenil Castro of Capiz, Solomon Chungalao of Ifugao and Justin Marc Chipeco of Laguna.

 “I feel vindicated in my effort to ascertain the true will of the majority of the people of Taguig City,” Reyes said in a statement.

He said he is “even more encouraged to pursue my desire to serve my constituents in order to convert Taguig into a peaceful and more prosperous city.”

“More than mine, this is a victory for my constituents who never lost faith and who never wavered in helping me prove my election protest before the HRET,” Reyes added.

It is not clear when the new Taguig congressman will get to replace Duenas. Under HRET rules, Duenas can file a motion for reconsideration. If the motion is denied, he could elevate his case to the Supreme Court.

If he ever gets to sit as a lawmaker, Reyes will attend only a few sessions of the House.

The two chambers of Congress are currently on their election campaign break. They will resume session on May 31 and adjourn again on June 4.

Reyes is the second House member to be declared as the real winner in the 2007 elections.

In December, the HRET ruled that Jaye Lacson Noel won over Alvin Sandoval as representative of Malabon-Navotas by just 542 votes.