Enrile, co-accused ordered arrested for graft

MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) — The Sandiganbayan Third Division on Monday issued a warrant of arrest against Senate Minority Leader Juan Ponce Enrile and 25 others for graft charges.

The arrest arrant came after the same division's order to detain Enrile and several others for the non-bailable offense of plunder in connection with the P10-billion pork barrel fund scam.

Lawyer Dennis Pulma, clerk of the Third Division, said that 11 of the graft respondents have earlier turn themselves in and posted bail.

Enrile, who faces 15 counts of graft, is currently being held at the Philippine National Police General Hospital in Camp Crame, Quezon City.

Also ordered arrested by the court were Jessica "Gigi" Reyes, Enrile's former chief of staff, and businesswoman Janet Lim Napoles tagged as mastermind in the embezzlement scheme.

Reyes is currently detained in a small cell at the basement of the Sandiganbayan's building while Napoles has been locked in Fort Sto. Domingo for a separate illegal detention charge filed by scam whistleblower Benhur Luy.

Enrile is accused of pocketing P172 million in Priority Development Assitance Funds through organizations of Napoles. Reyes was accused of directly receiving the kickbacks from Napoles' employees.

The senator has a pending petition before the Third Division to be allowed to stay longer at the PNP General Hospital and have medical checkups in facilities outside the police camp.

If not granted by the Sandiganbayan, Enrile will be immediately transferred to the PNP Custodial Center in Camp Crame where senators Ramon Revilla Jr. and Jinggoy Estrada, both facing plunder and graft cases, are detained.