BJMP: Gigi Reyes can’t be detained at QC jail

MANILA, Philippines – Lawyer Jessica Lucila “Gigi” Reyes will remain at the detention center of anti-graft court Sandiganbayan after the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) on Sunday, July 6, told the court its jail facilities in Quezon City could no longer accommodate her.

The BJMP said the Quezon City jail was already 8 times over capacity, ABS-CBN reported.

Reyes is charged with graft and plunder over her alleged participation in the multimillion-peso pork barrel scandal.

She and her former boss, Senator Juan Ponce Enrile, along with several other individuals, allegedly connived to divert funds meant for development projects to the fake non-profit organizations operated by businesswoman Janet Lim-Napoles.

On Friday, July 4, the Sandiganbayan ordered Reyes’ detention at the Quezon City jail, but required the jail warden to report if their facilities were adequate to secure Reyes.

The former chief of staff of Enrile will temporarily stay at the Sandiganbayan until further orders are given by the court. (READ: How things went wrong for Gigi Reyes)

In a report, the Philippine Star said the female dormitory inside Camp Karingal in Quezon City could be an option for Reyes’ detention, as the Quezon City Jail holds only male detainees.

The female dormitory is a BJMP facility, located inside the headquarters of the Quezon City Police District.

The Star quoted the female dormitory’s warden as saying the facility was not designed to hold a “high-risk” detainee like Reyes. – Rappler.com