Enrile asks anew for temporary liberty

Buena Bernal

This is AI generated summarization, which may have errors. For context, always refer to the full article.

Enrile asks anew for temporary liberty
The senator's motion says he 'should be entitled to the most reasonable amount of bail possible.' His arraignment is set for Friday, July 11

MANILA, Philippines – Opposition Senator Juan Ponce Enrile, indicted for plunder over the pork barrel scam, asked the anti-graft court Sandigabayan anew to allow him to post bail.

In a motion to fix bail filed Monday afternoon, July 7, Enrile reiterated his previous arguments that he is not a flight risk and that his frail condition must be considered.

“Enrile should be entitled to the most reasonable amount of bail possible,” his motion read.

The motion cited, among others, the “sheer insufficiency” of evidence against Enrile and his compliance with the conditions of previous bails granted to him.

Typically, plunder is non-bailable for being a capital offense or an offense punishable by reclusion perpetua or life imprisonment.

Third division clerk of court Dennis Pulma set the hearing for Enrile’s motion on Tuesday, July 8, at 1:30 pm.

If granted, the court will conduct a hearing on Enrile’s bail plea.

The 5th and 1st divisions have set the bail hearings of senators Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada and Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr on Tuesday and Thursday, July 10, respectively.

Previously, Enrile’s motion for bail, which he filed ahead of an arrest warrant, was denied for being premature. The court resolved that bail cannot be granted to an accused who has yet to submit to its jurisdiction.

Arraignment

Likewise, the 3rd division set the arraignment of Enrile’s and 37 of his co-accused on Friday, July 11.

The fate of the other 12 of Enrile’s co-accused in his graft cases will be dependent upon the voting of 2 other justices, after the approval of their indictment was deferred. The 3rd division, which is handling Enrile’s cases, was split on whether there is probable cause against the 12.

Justice Samuel Martires voted differently on the 12 accused. For 8 of them, he said additional evidence had to be presented for the approval of their indictment. For 3 of them, a reinvestigation has to be conducted. For another one, his case has to be dismissed.

Presiding Justice Amparo Cabotaje-Tang and Justice Alex Quiroz voted to approve the indictment of the 12. The split voting will now require the votes of two other justices who are not from the 3rd division. – Rappler.com

Add a comment

Sort by

There are no comments yet. Add your comment to start the conversation.

Summarize this article with AI

How does this make you feel?

Loading
Download the Rappler App!