Militants hit SC for allowing Enrile to post bail

MANILA, Philippines - Militant groups on Tuesday scored the decision of the Supreme Court to allow Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile to post bail for plunder and graft cases before the Sandiganbayan. 

 

In separate statements, rights group Karapatan and the National Union of People's Lawyers (NULP) both assailed the high court's decision. 

 

"With the granting of bail to Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile, it is once again affirmed that the Philippines is one of the best havens for criminals, plunderers and human rights violators for their staycation," Karapatan Secretary General Cristina Palabay said. 

 

She said that the Aquino administration and the high court have given the likes of Enrile, former president and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and ex-Maj. Gen. Jovito Palparan a "special treatment."

 

Enrile, now under hospital arrest inside a medical facility inside the Philippine National Police headquarters in Camp Crame, is facing the criminal charges in connection with the P10-billion pork barrel scam. 

 

"Karapatan deplores this clear travesty of justice. Our call is clear: prosecute and bring to justice the plunderers, free all political prisoners," Palabay said. 

 

Meanwhile, NULP National Secretary General Edre Olalia said it will be difficult for the elderly and ailing political prisoners to understand how Enrile managed to convince the SC justices that he be allowed to post bail while they are languishing in jail. 

 

 "Our justice system will be hard put to explain to the aging and sick political prisoners, ordinary toiling taxpayers, the public at large, and even dirt poor petty criminals why the likes of rich, powerful and influential demigods like Enrile can walk," Olalia said.