BATASAN, Quezon City — Jokingly, witnesses opined that when former governor Joel Reyes has completed his prison term, he will probably receive 100 grand as a centenarian as he has been melted out 110 years of imprisonment fir graft by the Sandiganbayan.

In a 625-page decision promulgated last Tuesday, July 29, the anti-graft court’s Second Division found Reyes guilty of 11 counts of graft for violating Section 3(e) of Republic Act (RA) 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.

The sentence is in connection with questionable contracts worth ₱1.5 billion that the provincial government entered into during his term.

Under provisions of the Constitution, public officials are prohibited from giving unwarranted benefit, advantage or preference to any party, or from causing any party, including the government, undue injury.
The Sandiganbayan sentenced Reyes to six years and one month to 10 years in prison for each count of the offense, or a total of 66 to 110 years. Aside from prison terms, the Second Division disqualified the former governor from holding public office.

However, it must be noted that Reyes is not required to serve the total period of his sentence as the country’s penal justice system limits the maximum period of prison terms for a felony to only 40 years.

Reyes is is currently detained at the Puerto Princesa City Jail. He is also undergoing trial for the murder of journalist and environmentalist Gerry Ortega in January 2011.