Sandiganbayan: Implement suspension order vs Enrile

Rappler.com

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Sandiganbayan: Implement suspension order vs Enrile
The anti-graft court' finds no merit in Senator Enrile's appeal against his 90-day suspension. The Senate has 5 days from receipt of order to implement it

MANILA, Philippines – The Sandiganbayan’s Third Division has denied the appeal of Senator Juan Ponce Enrile against his suspension as a senator.

“Wherefore, premises considered, accused Juan Ponce Enrile’s Motion for Reconsideration (Re: Resolution dated July 24, 2014) dated August 5, 2014 is hereby DENIED for lack of merit,” the anti-graft court said in a resolution issued on Friday, August 22.

The Office of the Senate President has 5 days from receipt of the order to implement Enrile’s suspension, which will be “automatically lifted upon expiration of the 90-day period from the implementation of this resolution,” the court said.

Senate President Franklin Drilon said in a statement that the Senate will abide by the court decision.

“The Senate will abide by the Sandiganbayan’s decision to uphold the suspension of Senator Enrile with finality, and we will implement it as soon as we receive the official copy of the suspension order,” Drilon said.

The court had earlier ordered the suspension of the 90-year-old Enrile, based on the motion of the prosecution, but he appealed it.

In a motion filed on July 14, prosecutors said Enrile’s suspension from office is meant to “preserve the integrity of the prosecution of the accused by preventing him from intimidating or influencing witnesses or tampering [with] documentary evidence, and to avoid further malfeasance while in office.” (READ: Why Enrile’s bail efforts were to no avail)

Enrile faces plunder and graft charges in connection with the alleged misuse of P172 million ($3.92 million)* of his Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) for ghost projects of fake non-governmental organizations ran by alleged pork barrel scam mastermind Janet lim Napoles. – Rappler.com

*US$1 = P43.83 

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