DOJ orders new probe on Ortega murder

MANILA, Philippines -  Justice Secretary Leila de Lima ordered yesterday a reinvestigation of the murder of Palawan broadcaster Gerry Ortega.

In Department Order No. 710, De Lima created a new Department of Justice (DOJ) panel to look into the murder charges filed by Ortega’s widow Patria Gloria against former Palawan governor Joel Reyes and former Marinduque governor Jose Antonio Carrion.

The new panel is composed of Assistant State Prosecutors Stewart Allan Mariano, Vimar Barcellano and Gerard Gaerlan. They will replace Senior Assistant State Prosecutor Edwin Dayog and Assistant State Prosecutors Bryan Jacinto Cacha and John Benedict Medina.

De Lima said the reinvestigation was meant “to address the offer of additional evidence” by the complainant, which was denied by the former panel in its resolution on Sept. 2, 2011.

The former DOJ probe team dismissed the appeal of Ortega’s widow seeking a reinvestigation of the case and   affirmed their findings that there is no ample basis to indict Reyes and Carrion in court for murder. Coron Mayor Mario Reyes, former Palawan provincial administrator Romeo Serratubias, and suspects Arturo Regalado and Percival Lecias were also cleared of murder charges.

The panel only recommended the filing of murder charges against Edwin Edrad and three other suspects – Armando Noel, Dennis Aranas and Arwin Arandia.

“It is in the interest of service and due process and to give both parties all reasonable opportunity to present their evidence,” the DOJ chief said.

In an ambush interview, De Lima said she opted to use her plenary power to order a reinvestigation instead of awaiting a possible petition for review from the complainant, in view of the issue regarding new evidence.

Meanwhile, Mike Ortega, the eldest of Doc Gerry’s five children told The STAR in a text message, “For now, we don’t want to comment yet,” when asked for a reaction to the DOJ decision.