Anti-graft court orders detention of Gigi Reyes in QC jail

MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) – The anti-graft court Sandiganbayan ordered on Friday, July 4, the detention of lawyer Jessica Lucila “Gigi” Reyes at the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) in Quezon City, but required the jail warden to report within 3 days from notice if their facilities are adequate to fully secure the accused.

The court chose the Quezon City Jail as place of detention because it is the nearest detention facility.

Reyes was reportedly in tears when she learned she would be committed to the Quezon City Jail.

But for now, Reyes will be detained temporarily at the Sandiganbayan until further orders are given by the court. The Security and Sheriffs Service of the Court was directed to keep Reyes in its custody and not allow her to be “moved, removed or relocated” until further orders.

She will be the first detainee at the newly-renovated female-exclusive Sandiganbayan detention cell.

In a last-minute resolution on Friday, July 4, the Sandiganbayan 3rd division ordered Reyes to be temporarily detained in a cell found at the basement of the court building. The cell was renovated last December, exclusively for female detainees.

But because her high blood pressure shot up Friday evening, Reyes was first kept on the first floor of the Sandiganbayan.

The court also denied on Friday, July 4, Reyes’ plea to have proceedings in her plunder and graft cases suspended. (READ: Anti-graft court denies Gigi Reyes’ plea to suspend proceedings)

Reyes arrived at the Sandiganbayan at about 4 pm to submit to its jurisdiction, and proceeded to the Sandiganbayan Sheriff’s Office upon arrival. Escorted by police, she went to the office of the 3rd division clerk of court.

The Sandiganbayan on Friday afternoon, issued separate arrest orders for Reyes and her former boss, Senator Juan Ponce Enrile in connection with the graft and plunder charges filed against them by the Ombudsman.

The separate orders of arrest were issued by the court’s 3rd division headed by Presiding Justice Amparo Cabotaje-Tang.

Also covered by the orders were alleged pork barrel scam mastermind Janet Lim Napoles, who is already detained; John Raymond de Asis, who served as Napoles’ driver-bodyguard; and Ronald John Lim, nephew of Napoles. – Rappler.com