Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 26) — The Sandiganbayan has denied Gigi Reyes’ plea not to attend hearings on the corruption charges against her in connection with the pork barrel scam.
Reyes, the former chief of staff of former senator and now Presidential Legal Counsel Juan Ponce Enrile, appeared before the Sandiganbayan Third Division on Thursday for the first time since her temporary release from detention last week.
The Supreme Court (SC) sided with Reyes when she sought her temporary release on the ground that her right to speedy trial was violated. She had been detained since 2014.
Among the conditions for her release is her presence during her case hearings at the Sandiganbayan.
Her lawyers filed a waiver of appearance, pointing out the SC ruling which said she should be present “when she is lawfully ordered to do so.”
The Sandiganbayan, however, disagreed.
“It is very clear and categorical, that she should appear personally in the hearings for her criminal cases,” Sandiganbayan Third Division Associate Justice Bernelito Fernandez said.
Reyes refused to answer questions from the media.
Identified as one of Enrile’s cohorts, Reyes is facing plunder and graft charges for her alleged involvement in the funneling of the former senator’s pork barrel to bogus projects from 2006 to 2010.
Enrile was also granted temporary release from detention earlier for humanitarian reasons.
Senator Jinggoy Estrada, who is facing similar charges, is also out on bail while his cases are pending at the Sandiganbayan Fifth division.
