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Marinduque Province, Philippines (view source)

Revision as of 14:44, 8 September 2011

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==[[Mirinduque News]]==
==[[Mirinduque News]]==
'''HRET junks electoral protest vs Marinduque lawmaker'''
'''Re-investigation of Ortega murder ordered'''
*Source: http://www.gmanews.tv/story/231284/regions/hret-junks-electoral-protest-vs-marinduque-lawmaker
*Source: http://www.journal.com.ph/index.php/news/national/12944-re-investigation-of-ortega-murder-ordered
*Friday, September 2, 2011
*Thursday, September 8, 2011
:by Sophia Dedace/RSJ, GMA News
:by Hector Lawas




The House of Representatives Electorial Tribunal (HRET) has upheld the victory of Lord Allan Velasco as representative of Marinduque province's lone district in the May 2010 elections.  
THE Department of Justice ordered a reinvestigation into the killing of Palawan broadcaster Gerry Ortega after it granted the request of his family seeking the indictment of former governors Joel Reyes of Palawan and Jose Antonio Carrion of Marinduque.


In a decision released to media on Friday, the tribunal dismissed the election protest filed by losing congressional bet Edmundo Reyes II, who contested Velasco's victory.  
Justice Secretary Leila de Lima issued Department Order No. 710 creating a new panel to conduct another preliminary investigation of the murder case.


The tribunal said Reyes was unable to prove he was cheated of victory and that he relied only on the certificates of canvass and the statement of votes to claim he is the rightful winner.  
The charges were filed by Ortega’s widow Patria Gloria against Reyes, Carrion and other respondents.


"There was no testimony from any member of the Board of Election Inspectors of the clustered precincts nor from any watcher or voter to prop up the claim of fraud and irregularities," the tribunal said.  
This developed as Atty. Ferdinand Topacio, counsel of Reyes, said the result of the reinvestigation will still be the same -- that his client Reyes  is  innocent.


The HRET's recount of votes cast in Marinduque's pilot precincts also showed that Velasco won by 4,146 votes — 39 votes higher than what was counted last year.  
Reyes welcomed the DoJ order saying all means must be exhausted to bring the perpetrators behind bars.


Under its rules, the tribunal can dismiss a poll protest if there is no reasonable number of votes favoring the protestant — in this case, Reyes — recovered from the pilot precincts.  
The new panel is composed of Assistant State Prosecutors Stewart Allan Mariano, Vimar Barcellano and Gerard Gaerlan.  


In its decision, the HRET said Reyes failed to show ballot irregularities and discrepancies that would alter the official results of the congressional race.  
De Lima said the reinvestigation will address the offer for additional evidence by the complainants earlier denied by the first panel on Sept. 2.


Libel case vs journalist
The denial was based on the ground that an earlier resolution had already been promulgated prior to the filing of the complainants.


Velasco is the son of Supreme Court Associate Justice Presbitero Velasco Jr., who recently scored a legal victory against veteran journalist Marites Vitug.  
De Lima said she opted to use her plenary power in ordering a reinvestigation instead of waiting the possible petition for review from the complainant.


Recently, the Manila City Prosecutor's Office approved the filing of libel charges against Vitug, who wrote an article that supposedly maligned the magistrate's name.
Her move voided a decision of the former panel dismissing the complainants’ motion seeking reinvestigation of the case.
 
The story explored how Velasco allegedly peddled his influence over local officials in Marinduque to support his son's congressional bid.
 
The Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 39 is handling the libel suit against Vitug.


==Photo Gallery of Marinduque, Philippines==
==Photo Gallery of Marinduque, Philippines==
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