House arrest for JPE pushed

MANILA, Philippines - Several congressmen urged the Sandiganbayan yesterday to allow the detention of Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile at his house in Dasmariñas Village in Makati for “humanitarian considerations.”

In a resolution, Minority Leader Ronaldo Zamora, Rep. Rodolfo Fariñas of Ilocos Norte and Rep. Rodolfo Albano III of Isabela said Enrile’s “advanced age and current state of health require medical procedures and facilities to ensure his continued well-being.”

Quoting officials of the Philippine National Police (PNP) hospital where the anti-graft court has ordered the senator held, the three congressmen said the PNP facility “lacks the necessary facilities to address Sen. Enrile’s current condition.”

It is therefore necessary that he be detained in his house, which is near some of the country’s best hospitals, they said.

Albano said Dasmariñas Village is just minutes away from Makati Medical Center (MMC) and St. Luke’s Hospital at Bonifacio Global City.

Enrile could be rushed to any of the two hospitals if he needs urgent medical attention, he said.

“I think no person who is 91 years old should be in detention. More so in the case of Sen. Enrile, who is only detained while his trial is ongoing. He still enjoys the presumption of innocence,” he said.

Albano added that at his age, Enrile is not a flight risk.

The senator was rushed to Makati Medical Center on Thursday because he has contracted pneumonia.

A PNP hospital spokesman said Enrile apparently got infected by his visitors during his birthday celebration on Feb. 14 at his PNP hospital quarters.

Among his visitors were Sens. Ramon Revilla Jr. and Jinggoy Estrada, who are detained at the PNP custodial center in Camp Crame.

The three senators are under detention while the Sandiganbayan tries them for plunder in connection with the alleged misuse of more than P1 billion in pork barrel funds.

Revilla has denied attending Enrile’s birthday celebration, but photos showing him sitting a table with Enrile and others have surfaced on the Internet.

Interior Secretary Manuel Roxas II has confirmed that Revilla and Estrada were among Enrile’s visitors.

Roxas has ordered the relief of some PNP officers and guards for giving the senators special treatment.