Solons Hail SC for Granting Bail Petition of Enrile

(PNA) — Members of the House of Representatives welcomed on Wednesday the Supreme Court (SC) ruling granting the petition for bail of detained Senate Minority Leader Juan Ponce Enrile.

House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. said: “By granting Senator Enrile’s bail application, the SC has in effect ruled that the evidence of his guilt is not strong.”

He also hailed the SC ruling, adding Enrile is indeed a big asset to the Senate which he visited three times while under hospital arrest at the Philippine National Police Hospital at Camp Crame in Quezon City.

“Mabuti naman at makakalabas na siya, he’s a real asset. I am glad he is given the opportunity and the ability to regain his freedom,” he added.

Independent Minority Bloc Leader and Leyte Rep. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez said Enrile should be given temporary liberty because of his advanced age and deteriorating health condition.

“We laud the compassion of the Supreme Court for giving Senator Enrile the chance to continue his legislative duties in the Senate after granting his temporary liberty. The ruling champions humane treatment which he deserves,” Romualdez said.

Paranaque City Rep. Gus Tambunting said the SC decision would indicate that evidence against Enrile was not strong.

1-BAP Party-list Rep. Silvestre Bello III and Isabela Rep. Rodolfo “Rodito” Albano III said the SC decision was a welcome development.

“I agree with the decision of the Supreme Court,” Bello, a former secretary of the Department of Justice (DOJ), said, adding that “the evidence against Senator Enrile is weak.”

“He deserves to be freed again temporarily while the trial is going on because of his advanced age,” said Albano.

Enrile is facing separate plunder and multiple counts of graft cases before the Sandiganbayan Third Division for allegedly pocketing PhP 172 million in pork barrel funds. (PNA) SCS/SFM