Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — A number of senators welcomed on Tuesday (August 18) a Supreme Court (SC) decision granting a petition for bail by detained Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile.
Sen. Sergio Osmeña III said he was happy for his nonagenarian colleague.
“He’s 91 years old. He’s got ailments. His eye, he can hardly see, he’s got macular degeneration which is incurable. Maski house arrest lang okey na,” Osmeña said.
For his part, Sen. Ralph Recto said he was looking forward to working again with someone he jestingly described as “the youngest member” of the Senate.
“With our agenda full, hard labor awaits him here. With his experience, he can certainly enrich the discussions on the budget and the BBL,” Recto said.
Meanwhile, Senate President Franklin Drilon noted that his predecessor had not stopped working even while in detention and had continued to perform the functions of a senator — except attend sessions which he could not do.
Acting Minority Leader, Sen. Vicente “Tito” Sotto III, also welcomed Enrile’s imminent return and said he hoped that his colleague in the minority bloc would be back to work by next Monday.
Reacting to the SC ruling, Malacañan said the administration remained determined to pursue its anti-corruption campaign in a sustained manner.
“This steadfast commitment is not dependent on the outcome of any particular case,” said Presidential Communications Sec. Herminio “Sonny” Coloma Jr.
Coloma said the Palace was leaving it up to the Ombudsman to take the necessary action with regard to the case.
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This developed after the SC okayed Enrile’s bid for bail in connection with a plunder case involving alleged bogus non-government organizations.
Theodore Te, chief of the the SC Public Information Office told reporters that the bail granted was subject to terms and conditions which will be stipulated in an order to be out soon.
Enrile’s camp, meanwhile, said they were thankful of the SC ruling and that they would immediately post the required bail, set at P1 million.
Joseph Sagandoy, Enrile’s counsel said the provisional liberty would allow the veteran lawmaker to return to his Senate duties and responsibilities.
Sagandoy also noted that with the granting of bail, the plunder case against Enrile “will practically go back to square one,” noting that the SC also granted a motion for bill of particulars last week.
“The prosecution will have to amend the information against him (Enrile) or provide the required details and particulars of the charges against him. Otherwise, the case may be dismissed,” Sagandoy said.
Enrile surrendered at the Philippine National Police (PNP) headquarters in Camp Crame in July last year after the Sandiganbayan issued an arrest warrant for him, his former chief of staff Jessica Lucila “Gigi” Reyes, Janet Lim-Napoles and two others in connection with plunder and graft cases.
CNN Philippines’ Anna Estanislao contributed to this report.
