Calida vows to take to SC CA decision clearing Reyes
Published Jan 9, 2018 04:12 pm
By Jeffrey Damicog
Solicitor General Jose Calida has vowed to take to Supreme Court (SC) the decision of the Court of Appeals (CA) to clear and free from jail former Palawan Governor Joel Reyes over a murder case involving the death of environmentalist and broadcaster Gerry Ortega.
Solicitor Genral Jose C. Calida (Jansen Romero / MANILA BULLETIN)
“We are ready and raring to take this case all the way to the Supreme Court,” he assured in a statement he issued today, January 9.
“There will be no miscarriage of justice under my watch,” Calida stressed.
On Friday, Reyes was released from the Puerto Princesa City jail after the CA upheld his petition questioning the merit of his trial as a suspect in the murder case.
“The CA decision stinks. As to where the stench came from, we will investigate it,” Calida said.
The Solicitor General noted the CA ruled that there is the lack of sufficient evidence for a finding of probable cause for Reyes’ indictment at the Puerto Princesa Regional Trial Court (RTC).
However, Calida pointed out “the presence or absence of the elements of the crime is evidentiary in nature and is a matter of defense that may be passed upon after a full-blown trial on the merits.”
“The issues on credibility of a witness and admissibility of evidence are matters to be scrutinized in great detail during trial proper,” said Calida as referred to the reasons cited by the CA ruling.
“An exhaustive debate on the credibility of a witness is not within the province of the determination of probable cause,” he said.
The Solicitor General explained a trial could yield more evidence favorable to either side after interrogations of the witnesses either on direct examination or on cross-examination.
“What is important is that there is some rational basis for going ahead with judicial inquiry into the case,” he stated.
“In this case, from the perspective of a reasonably discreet and prudent man, there is sufficient ground to order the arrest of Joel Reyes,” he added.
Solicitor Genral Jose C. Calida (Jansen Romero / MANILA BULLETIN)
“We are ready and raring to take this case all the way to the Supreme Court,” he assured in a statement he issued today, January 9.
“There will be no miscarriage of justice under my watch,” Calida stressed.
On Friday, Reyes was released from the Puerto Princesa City jail after the CA upheld his petition questioning the merit of his trial as a suspect in the murder case.
“The CA decision stinks. As to where the stench came from, we will investigate it,” Calida said.
The Solicitor General noted the CA ruled that there is the lack of sufficient evidence for a finding of probable cause for Reyes’ indictment at the Puerto Princesa Regional Trial Court (RTC).
However, Calida pointed out “the presence or absence of the elements of the crime is evidentiary in nature and is a matter of defense that may be passed upon after a full-blown trial on the merits.”
“The issues on credibility of a witness and admissibility of evidence are matters to be scrutinized in great detail during trial proper,” said Calida as referred to the reasons cited by the CA ruling.
“An exhaustive debate on the credibility of a witness is not within the province of the determination of probable cause,” he said.
The Solicitor General explained a trial could yield more evidence favorable to either side after interrogations of the witnesses either on direct examination or on cross-examination.
“What is important is that there is some rational basis for going ahead with judicial inquiry into the case,” he stated.
“In this case, from the perspective of a reasonably discreet and prudent man, there is sufficient ground to order the arrest of Joel Reyes,” he added.