Enrile raring to tackle BBL, sea dispute

MANILA, Philippines - Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile is excited to go back to work and participate in current deliberations on important national issues like the Bangsamoro Basic Law and the West Philippine Sea, according to his lawyer.

Enrile’s defense counsel Eleazar Reyes said the 91-year-old lawmaker is already preparing to report for work in the Senate.

“He’s in good health. Of course he will have to take his maintenance medicine and treatment,” Reyes said.

However, Enrile was not allowed to post bail as of end of office hours yesterday since the Supreme Court is yet to serve an official copy of its ruling to the Sandiganbayan.

A skeletal force of the Sandiganbayan reported for work yesterday even if it was a Quezon City holiday to facilitate Enrile’s possible posting of bail.

Officials explained they have to receive the official copy of the Supreme Court decision to allow Enrile to post bail.

Enrile, on the other hand, has requested for the medical bills he incurred during his stay at the Philippine National Police General Hospital (PNPGH), where he is under hospital arrest.

The camp of Enrile reportedly asked the PNPGH administration for a bill of the medical expenses, which he should settle before he leaves the hospital premises.

SPO4 Jovito Tapayan, finance officer of the PNP-Health Service, said the medical expenses reached a total of P76,000 for 150 days. Tapayan, however, did not explain the basis of the 150 days confinement.

Tapayan said the amount was reduced to P61,000 after deducting Enrile’s privileges as a senior citizen. He added the amount could still be deducted from Enrile’s PhilHealth benefits.

The police personnel detailed as security for Enrile were also ordered to pull out once the senator posts bail.

Joseph Sagandoy, Enrile’s lawyer, said the senator is excited and ready to go home.

Although the release has been held in abeyance, Sagandoy said Enrile does not mind the delay and is still eager to go home.

Enrile was arrested in July last year for plunder and graft in relation to his alleged involvement in the pork barrel fund scam allegedly masterminded by trader Janet Lim-Napoles.

The Sandiganbayan denied his motion to fix bail, prompting him to elevate the issue to the Supreme Court.

Enrile filed his petition on Sept. 4, 2014, citing his advanced age and voluntary surrender to the Sandiganbayan.

On Tuesday, the high court granted Enrile’s petition and set bail at P1 million.

Enrile will have to post bail in the amount of P1 million for the plunder charge and P450,000 for the 15 counts of graft filed against him by the Office of the Ombudsman.

Reyes said Enrile will have to come up with cash since applying for surety will take time and will delay his release from the PNPGH, where the senator has been under hospital arrest since last year.

Reyes said the grant of bail is a positive development since considering how the high tribunal apparently agreed with Enrile that he is not a flight risk in view of his age and position in government.

“The probability of his flight is zero. Basically even the Constitution says that he ought not to be given bail if the evidence of guilt is strong because of the risk of flight. But if you can show that there is no flight risk under the circumstances that negates that rational of the Constitution,” Reyes said.

Former Cagayan representative Jack Enrile thanked the Supreme Court for allowing his father to post bail.

“On behalf of my mother Christina and the rest of my family, I wish to thank the Supreme Court justices for their kindness and compassion in allowing Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile to post bail,” the younger Enrile said in a statement.

Vice President Jejomar Binay welcomed the impending release of Enrile, saying he was not surprised by the SC decision to allow the 91-year old legislator temporary liberty and granting his motion for a bill of particulars.

Lawmakers led by Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. welcomed the expected return of Enrile to the Senate.

“It’s good that he’s (Enrile) going to be released – he’s a real asset,” Belmonte said.

“I am glad he’s given the opportunity and the ability to regain his freedom.”

Belmonte said he had visited Enrile thrice while in detention in Camp Crame.

Leyte Rep. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez hailed the SC in its decision to allow Enrile the chance to continue his legislative duties in the Senate.

“The ruling champions humane treatment which he deserves,” he said.

Parañaque City Rep. Gustavo Tambunting, of the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA), said the SC decision would indicate that evidence against Enrile was not strong.

Isabela Rep. Rodito Albano III said Enrile deserves to be freed while the trial is going on because of his advanced age. – With Paolo Romero, Helen Flores, Cecille Suerte Felipe