MANILA, Philippines - Senator Juan Ponce Enrile went to the the Philippines National Police (PNP) headquarters in Camp Crame shortly after the Sandiganbayan ordered his arrest for plunder.
Enrile will be detained at the PNP Custodial Center where fellow senators Ramon "Bong" Revilla Jr. and Jose "Jinggoy" Estrada are also being held.
The former Senate President is accused of embezzling P172 million of Priority Development Assistance Funds through bogus non-government organizations of businesswoman Janet Lim Napoles.
The court has not yet decided whether the 90-year-old Enrile will be placed under hospital arrest, saying his camp has not yet formally requested for the arrangement.
Enrile's former chief of staff and plunder co-accused, Jessica "Gigi" Reyes, turned herself in before the Sandiganbayan Third Division moments before Enrile surrendered.
Reyes was accused of acting as agent and liaison of Napoles with Enrile, who has authorized Reyes to transact on his behalf.
Enrile was the defense minister when late dictator Ferdinand Marcos placed the country under martial rule in 1972, the beginning of a 14-year dictatorship characterized by widespread human rights violations and corruption.
Enrile later broke off from Marcos in 1986 and helped lead a "people power" revolt that ousted the dictator, his family and allies. In the tumultuous post-dictatorship era, he was linked to several military rebellions against late President Corazon Aquino, mother of the current president, but continued to serve in government and later was elected to the Senate.
A prominent lawyer himself and a wealthy industrialist, Enrile has denied the accusation that he pocketed 172 million pesos ($3.94 million) in kickbacks and enlisted a top-notch lawyer to defend him.
It was not immediately clear where Enrile would be detained. Aquino and other officials have hinted that he may be treated with leniency because of his age and frail health. - with the Associated Press