Photo credit: PCSO

Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) Chairperson and retired judge Felix P. Reyes has firmly denied accusations made by whistleblower Julie “Dondon” Patidongan, who implicated him in alleged case-fixing for businessman Atong Ang. The allegations are tied to the high-profile missing sabungeros case, which continues to attract public attention.

In a statement released on July 8, 2025, Reyes addressed the claims circulating on traditional and social media, describing them as “wild accusations.” Patidongan, a self-styled whistleblower in the sabungeros case, had alleged that Reyes, while traveling abroad, colluded with prosecutors and judges to manipulate court outcomes in favor of Ang.

“I categorically deny such wild accusations of Mr. Patidongan. I dare him to identify any specific case of Mr. Atong Ang or anything related to the sabungero case, which I understand is still pending in court, that I fixed or settled to the advantage of Mr. Ang,” Reyes stated. “If Mr. Patidongan cannot substantiate his accusation of case-fixing, I ask him to shut up.”

Reyes further expressed his transparency by authorizing the Bureau of Immigration to release his travel records since his retirement from the judiciary on October 1, 2021. This move, he said, aims to disprove any narrative that he traveled with or met judicial officials related to the alleged misconduct.

He also noted the timing of the accusations, pointing out that they emerged just a day after he filed his application for the position of Ombudsman, suggesting a possible motive behind the smear.

“I am ready and willing to cooperate in any investigation by any government agency that will shed light on these baseless allegations,” Reyes concluded. He urged authorities to look into the matter to protect the integrity of the judiciary and the prosecution service.

The missing sabungeros case, involving several individuals who mysteriously disappeared after attending cockfighting events, remains unresolved and under judicial scrutiny.