Ex-Palawan guv makes surprise visit at capitol

• Source: http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1021014
• Tuesday, January 9, 2018 6:55 pm

By Celeste Anna Formoso (PNA)

PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Palawan -- Former Palawan governor Joel Reyes paid a courtesy call on incumbent Governor Jose Alvarez at the provincial capitol on Tuesday.

Reyes, who was welcomed by Alvarez, Vice Governor Dennis Socrates, and other provincial officials, said he was ready to help Palawan any way he could.

“I am here ready to help. We are not talking about politics here, but the total development of Palawan,” he said.

“My objective when I got out last Friday (January 5) was to pay my respects to him before I leave Puerto Princesa and go home to Coron,” Reyes said.

The former Palawan governor walked out of the city jail here a free man late Friday after the Court of Appeals (CA) found “no probable cause” in the murder case filed against him as the suspected mastermind in the 2011 slaying of radioman and environmentalist Dr. Gerry Ortega.

For his part, Alvarez said he told Reyes to use the chance to renew his life and make it better.

"Sabi niya kanina, nagpapasalamat siya at napagbigyan siya ng husgado. Sabi ko naman kung ano ang sinabing husgado, eh hindi ako abogado. Kung ano man 'yung ibinigay sa iyo ng husgado, pagbutihin mo at sana gamitin mo na 'yung natitirang yugto ng buhay mo sa mabuting paraan (He said a while ago that he is thankful he was given a chance. I told him whatever he was told by the CA, I am not a lawyer. Whatever chance he was given, he should make use of it in a good way),” Alvarez said.

On the offered help, the Palawan governor said he told Reyes to take a rest first.

Reyes was also welcomed by old supporters at the provincial capitol.