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Sandiganbayan sets resolution of Enrile's plunder case in May

Philippines | National

Sandiganbayan sets resolution of Enrile's plunder case in May

By Czarina Nicole Ong Ki

The Sandiganbayan is set to resolve in May the plunder case filed against former Senate president and now Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Juan Ponce Enrile.

The handing of the decision in May was confirmed by Sandiganbayan Presiding Justice Amparo M. Cabotaje-Tang during an interview with journalists on Wednesday morning, March 27.

"It's scheduled for promulgation. Hopefully it will push through as scheduled," the presiding justice said.

The anti-graft court had earlier granted Enrile’s plea to file a demurrer to evidence, a pleading that challenges the alleged weakness of the prosecution’s evidence to sustain a conviction.

If Enrile’s demurrer is granted, he will be acquitted of the plunder charge. If it is denied, the trial on his case will proceed.

The motions to file demurrer to evidence by Enrile’s co-accused – his former chief of staff Atty. Jessica Lucila “Gigi” Reyes and businessman Janet Lim Napoles were denied by the court.

They were charged with plunder and 15 counts of graft in the alleged misuse of the former senator's P172-million Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) which reportedly went to the non-government organizations (NGOs) owned by Napoles.

In 2015, Enrile was allowed to post bail. In January 2023, the Supreme Court (SC) granted the plea of Reyes for a habeas corpus petition and ordered her release from jail.

Napoles is now detained at the Correctional Institution for Women in Mandaluyong City due to her convictions in other criminal cases.

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