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MANILA, Philippines – There are no VIPs here.
The Palace on Tuesday, June 17, bellied accusations the government was giving 3 senators “special or VIP treatment” by renovating part of the Philippine National Police (PNP) Custodial Center in Camp Crame for their use.
Three opposition senators – Senators Juan Ponce Enrile, Bong Revilla, and Jinggoy Estrada – are accused of pocketing millions of pesos in public funds through fake projects undertaken by bogus non-governmental organizations.
Plunder and graft charges have since been filed against the 3, alleged mastermind Janet Lim Napoles, and others before anti-graft court Sandiganbayan.
Even though the Sandiganbayan divisions assigned to handle the cases have yet to issue warrants of arrest against the accused, the PNP on Monday, June 16, gave media a quick tour of the facilities where the 3 may be detained.
The complex is newly-renovated and in a much better condition than most Philippine jails. (IN PHOTOS: Senators’ detention center in Camp Crame)
PNP Spokesman Chief Superintendent Theodore Sindac explained the renovated area was supposed to be the quarters for Headquarters Support Service personnel assigned to the custodial center.
“You can check the National Budget for 2014 and the capital expenditures that are allowed for the Philippine National Police and the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG)….These are included in the work programs of the agencies concerned,” Palace Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr said at a press briefing on Tuesday, June 17.
“When the National Budget was enacted, no charges have been filed with any courts,” added Coloma.
In a previous media briefing, Interior Secretary Mar Roxas emphasized that the custodial center was only a “temporary” detention center for the 3 and 51 others facing charges before the Sandiganbayan.
Coloma also reiterated the presumed innocence of those accused in the case, pending any final resolution from the court.
The courts will have the final say on where the accused in the scam will be detained during hearings for the case. The PNP Custodial Center is only one of many options. – Rappler.com
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