Gerry Ortega daughter: Suspect in dad’s slay allowed to post bail

The Palawan court handling the case on the killing of broadcaster and environmentalist Gerardo "Gerry" Ortega has allowed one of the principal accused to post bail.

This was the claim of Ortega's daughter Michaella, who expressed disappointment over the ruling of Judge Angelo Arizala of the Puerto Princesa Regional Trial Court Branch 52 to grant former Coron Mayor Mario Reyes' bail plea.

In a text message to reporters, Michaella said the judge required Reyes to post a bail of P500,000 in exchange for his temporary freedom.

Palawan provincial prosecutor Allen Ross Rodriguez said they have also been hearing about such reports, but are still confirming them.

GMA News Online has already sought lawyer Ferdinand Topacio, one of the legal counsels of the accused brothers, for confirmation and comment, but he has yet to respond as of posting time.

Mario is running for vice mayor of Coron in Monday's elections, while his co-accused in the case, brother former Palawan Gov. Joel Reyes, is running for Coron mayor.

"They petitioned for bail in order to allow them to campaign before May 9. Our family expresses disappointment with the court ruling," said Michaella.

The Ortega family said they would be withholding further comments "until such time that we and our lawyers have received and reviewed the ruling." — RSJ, GMA News