JUSTICE Secretary Leila De Lima has ordered a reinvestigation on the murder case against her former client former Palawan Governor Joel Reyes and several other accused involved in the killing of broadcaster Dr. Gerry Ortega.
Under Department Order No. 710 signed Sept. 7, 2011, De Lima designated Assistant State Prosecutors Steward Allan Mariano, Vimar Barcellano and Gerard Gaerlan to do the reinvestigation.

“In the interest of service and due process, and to give both parties all the reasonable opportunity to present their evidence during the preliminary investigation, a new panel is hereby created . . . for the purpose of conducting a reinvestigation in the case of “NBI-Dr. Patria Gloria A. Inocencio Ortega vs. Romeo Seratubias in XVI-INV-11B-00062,” the document reads.

De Lima was the former election lawyer of Reyes. However, De Lima inhibited herself from the case if a petition for review will be in the offing but has the power to designate the prosecutors of her own choice.

The order invalidates the previous designation made to Assistant State Prosecutor Edwin Dayog and his two other members Assistant State Prosecutors Bryan Cacha, and John Benedict Medina.

De Lima made the order after complainant, Patria Ortega, widow of the slain doctor to have a new panel to hear the case.

The widow submitted additional evidence that would support their allegations against Reyes, former Marinduque Governor Jose Carreon, Coron Mayor Mario Reyes, Atty. Romeo Seratubias, Arturo Regalado and Percival Lecias.

The previous Dayog panel cleared Reyes and five others from the case for lack of evidence.

In a 21-page resolution dated June 8, the DOJ panel of prosecutors junked the murder charges against alleged masterminds Reyes, Carreon, Serratubias, Mario Reyes, and suspects Regalado and Lecias.

Indicted in court were gunman Rodolfo “Bumar” Edrad Jr. and suspects Armando Noel, Dennis Aranas, and Arwin Arandia.

The panel of prosecutors found no probable cause against Gov. Reyes and Carreon to file charges against them in court for lack of evidence. It was pointed out that the implications against Reyes and Carreon could not stand in court for trial and only those who directly participated in the killing must be charged in court.

Brodcaster Ortega, 47, was gunned down in Puerto Princesa City after his radio program on January 24, 2010.