Senate suspends Enrile, Jinggoy next

MANILA, Philippines - The Senate leadership on Monday imposed the 90-day suspension on Senator Juan Ponce Enrile after the Sandiganbayan junked the appeal objecting the anti-graft court's order.

 

"I have no recourse but to implement this, as we received the order of the Sandiganbayan denying the motion for reconsideration of Senator Enrile. The suspension will be effective today, and the suspension will be automatically lifted after 90 days. 

 

"This is the order of the Sandiganbayan and we have no recourse but to implement it, consistent with the decision of the Supreme Court in the case involving a member of the legislature," Senate President Franklin Drilon said. 

 

Drilon said the Senate is also poised to implement the suspension of Senator Jinggoy Estrada as soon as it receives the copy of the order from the Sandiganbayan.

 

"I read in the papers that the Sandiganbayan has also denied the motion for reconsideration of Senator Jinggoy Estrada. Again, I have no recourse, but the moment I receive this order, we will also implement it and we will report to the Sandiganbayan because we are required to report within five days from receipt of the order. So this is what we will do today, the suspension will be effective as directed by the Sandiganbayan as of Sep. 1, 2014," he added.

 

Both Enrile and Estrada are facing plunder and graft charges in connection with the P10-billion pork barrel scam. 

 

The two, along with Senator Ramon "Bong" Revilla Jr., are now detained at the Philippine National Police Custodial Center in Camp Crame, Quezon City.

 

The Sandiganbayan has yet to rule on the suspension of Revilla.

 

Drilon said while suspended, Enrile and Estrada could not file any bill or sign any committee report.

 

He noted that the senators would not receive their salaries while suspended but their staff and employees are not affected by the suspension.