2 more politicians tagged in Palawan broadcaster's slay

The wife of slain Palawan broadcaster Gerry Ortega on Wednesday accused two more local politicians of possible involvement in the killing of her husband in late January this year. At a news briefing in Manila, Patty Ortega claimed that Palawan Gov. Abraham Mitra and former Vice Governor David Ponce de Leon were engaged in corrupt activities that her husband Gerry, a popular radio commentator in the province, had criticized and exposed. Patty had earlier tagged former Palawan Governor Joel Reyes as the mastermind behind the killing of her husband. She has filed before the Department of Justice a murder complaint against Reyes, other local officials, and several suspects who supposedly carried out Gerry's killing last January 24. Mitra and De Leon are not listed as suspects in the murder complaint. (See: Ex-Palawan gov faces murder raps over Ortega slay) "It is possible that Joel Reyes is not the only mastermind. But at the moment, he is the only one being named by the suspects. Gerry's death benefited Joel Reyes, Baham Mitra, Dave Ponce de Leon and others who were and are involved in the utilization of funds in the province," Patty said, using the nicknames of the local politicians. She claimed that profits from the Malampaya gas project in Palawan did not go to provincial government coffers, but to the pockets of Reyes, Mitra, and De Leon. Patty said her husband's radio program had repeatedly exposed the alleged misuse of Malampaya funds. "Almost every day, my husband read the Commission on Audit report detailing the anomalous use of Malampaya funds and provincial funds." No involvement Sought for his reaction, Gov. Mitra sent this text message to GMA News Online: "I'm sorry I would not like to comment on reckless statements egged on/fed by rumor mongers. My father left me a good name and I intend to do the same to my son. Let it not be tainted by people who are fed unfounded and baseless accusations by enterprising individuals using them for their so-called cause." The incumbent governor is the son of former House Speaker and presidential candidate Ramon Mitra. Former Vice Gov. Ponce de Leon, a losing Puerto Princesa City mayoralty candidate last year, also denied any involvement in Ortega's death. "Immediately after Gerry Ortega was killed, I spoke on the radio and said that I condemn his death. I even called on authorities to go after those who could be behind this," De Leon said in a phone interview with GMA News Online. Patty Ortega said she was compelled to speak publicly because former Gov. Reyes is supposedly engaging in a public relations campaign to clear his name and to malign Gerry's reputation. "Some articles and columns started coming out, insinuating about the possible involvement of some of Gerry's closest friends, but did not mention any proof or evidence. Then they also started attacking Gerry's credibility as broadcaster or journaist, insinuated wrongdoings and peddled outright lies," she said. But the defense lawyer of Reyes said their camp was not behind the newspaper columns that seemed to favor his client. "These are the opinions of columnists and these are part of media freedom. We categorically deny being behind these because Joel Reyes spoke to media only once and we told him that it's already enough because we don't want trial by publicity," lawyer Ferdinand Topacio told reporters on Wednesday. He said the latest pronouncements from the Ortega camp were "unfair" to his client. "These are irresponsible statements. We have a preliminary investigation [at the DOJ] to determine who killed her husband. They're subjecting us to trial by publicity, which is unfair and unethical. Everyone, including the accused, is entitled to due process and the right to be presumed innocent," said Topacio. DOJ probe A DOJ panel led by Senior State Prosecutor Edwin Dayog is conducting a preliminary investigation on the murder complaint filed by Patty to determine whether there is probable cause to file murder charges against the suspects. The panel is set to resume its probe on Thursday, but Topacio said his client might not attend the proceedings because he has not yet finished preparing his counter-affidavit. "He [Reyes] will have to appear when he submits his counter-affidavit at the proper time. He is entitled to due process and time to prepare. He needs time to prepare his defense," said Topacio. — RSJ, GMA News