(Eagle News) — Former Palawan governor Joel Reyes was convicted of graft by the Sandiganbayan and sentenced to six to eight years in prison.
The Third Division also barred Reyes from public service after it found him guilty of granting unwarranted benefit to Olympic Mines and Development Corp. (OMDC) when he renewed its mining permit.
According to the anti-graft court in its decision promulgated on Aug. 29, the permit was renewed and made valid from April 6, 2006 to April 5, 2008, even when the firm’s previous permit was valid up to November 2006.
According to the Sandiganbayan, the renewal was also done even if OMDC had already extracted the maximum 50,000 dry metric tons per year.
“Accused Reyes cannot feign ignorance of the exhaustion of its privilege by OMDC…. As governor of Palawan, his authority to approve small-scale mining permits calls for the dual role of allowing the exploration and exploitation of, and conserving and preserving the natural resources within the province’s territorial jurisdiction,” the court said, rejecting Reyes’ defense he relied only on the recommendation of the Provincial Mining Regulatory Board for the renewal.
“He chose to intentionally and willfully ignore his responsibilities…,” the court concluded.
The court acquitted the Palawan provincial government mining operations officer Adronico Baguyo, noting that the prosecution failed to establish guilt beyond reasonable doubt.
Reyes is facing trial for the murder of environmentalist Gerry Ortega, and is detained at the Puerto Princesa city jail.