Enrile, Napoles file petitions for bail

MANILA, Philippines - Senator Juan Ponce Enrile and businesswoman Janet Lim Napoles on Monday asked the Sandiganbayan to allow them to post bail.

In his motion before the Sandiganbayan's 3rd Division, Enrile asked the anti-graft anew to allow him to post bail saying the government prosecutors' evidence against him is weak.

"The prosecution has first to submit evidence showing that Enrile's guilt is strong at a hearing specifically set for said purpose," the motion read.

His lawyers also argued that although Enrile has been charged with plunder, his advance age and his voluntary surrender mitigate or lessen the imposition of penalties.

They maintained that he is not a flight risk and "will surely appear" during the hearing of the cases before the court.

Napoles' lawyers also argued that the evidence against the businesswoman is weak. They claimed that government prosecutors have failed to establish sufficient grounds to file a plunder case against her.

They maintained that Napoles could not be liable for plunder as the charges "failed to show that the proceeds of the PDAF (priority development assistance fund) landed in the pockets of any public officer."

"Bail is a matter either a matter of right, or of discretion. It is a matter if right when the offense charged is not punishable by death, reclusion perpetua or life imprisonment," Napoles' motion read.