Former chief of Staff of Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile, lawyer Jessica Lucilla "Gigi" Reyes will surrender to the authority once a warrant of arrest will be issued by the Sandiganbayan.
Gigi Reyes was involved on the multi-billion-peso pork barrel scam. One of her closest allies said that Gigi will not hide from authorities and once she will receive the warrant of arrest, she will give herself up to the proper authorities.
Warrants for the arrest is expected to be out this week for Reyes, Enrile and Jinggoy Estrada. Estrada dramatically prepared a renewal of his vows to his wife Precy last night at their home in Greenhills,San Juan. He said that it is part of his preparation for an expected detention of plunder without bail.
Reyes is a lawyer by profession and has studied the plunder charges thrown against her. Now, she is ready to clear herself. She is also considered as the only person who can lead to the Enrile scam. Reyes added that her children became traumatized after she was involved in the controversy.
On Friday, Reyes asked the Sandiganbayan to suspend its proceeding on the plunder case and defer the the release of warrant of arrest against her.
She added that Sandiganbayan must first wait the Supreme Court resolution aupon her appeal for temporary restraining order and/or write of preliminary injunction "as a matter of courtesy."
Reyes is concerned on whether the resolutions of the Ombudsman are tainted with nullity for denying her right to due process and equal protection of the law, and whether the Ombudsman disregarded vital and essential facts and evidence on record which negate the existence of probable cause against her.
Unlike Paulen Labayen who is appointments secretary of Sen. Jinggoy Estrada who immediately resigned after being involved in the case while Reyes has been asserting her rights to due process in connection with her plunder case.
Unlike Paulen Labayen who is appointments secretary of Sen. Jinggoy Estrada who immediately resigned after being involved in the case while Reyes has been asserting her rights to due process in connection with her plunder case.
After the explosion of controversy last year, Estrada camp havent heard anything from Labayen.
Together with the principal accused in the Pork Barrel Scam, Reyes is expected to be arrested this week so as Enrile ad Estrada.
Renato Bocar, Sandiganbayan spokesman said that the magistrates are given 10 days to review criminal complaints and rules on whether the Office of the Ombudsman has a case, with or without motions for judicial determination of probable cause from the defendants.
Renato Bocar, Sandiganbayan spokesman said that the magistrates are given 10 days to review criminal complaints and rules on whether the Office of the Ombudsman has a case, with or without motions for judicial determination of probable cause from the defendants.
If there is a finding of probable clause, the anti-graft court will issue arrest orders and schedule an arraignment date much like how Sen. Ramon Revilla Jr. voluntarily surrendered last Friday and will be arraigned on June 26 before the First Division headed by Associate Justice Efren de la Cruz.
Enrile, through lawyer Estelito Mendoza, is challenging the indictment before the Third Division, claiming there is no evidence to show the senator committed the crime of plunder by pocketing public funds through the pork barrel scam.
Mendoza filed a motion to dismiss on behalf of Enrile, asking the Sandiganbayan to junk the criminal complaint. He argued the complaint does not even clearly state what crime was committed and how because it was chockfull of general allegations.
Estrada, through lawyer Jose Flaminiano, is also asking the Fifth Division to junk the cases filed against him by the Office of the Ombudsman, citing his innocence and the lack of evidence to support the criminal charges, among others.
A total of 45 cases divided roughly into three, based on one principal accused and their respective co-accused had been filed before the Sandiganbayan against Enrile, Estrada and Revilla. The cases were raffled off to separate divisions of the anti-graft court.
Enrile’s 16 cases – one plunder and 15 graft – where he and other respondents, including Reyes are accused of pocketing P172 million in pork barrel fund kickbacks or commissions, went to Tang.
Estrada’s 12 cases – one plunder and 11 graft – where he and fellow respondents are accused of stealing P183 million, went to the Fifth Division chaired by Associate Justice Jurado.
Revilla’s 17 cases – one plunder and 16 graft – where he is accused of pocketing P242 million went to the First Division chaired by Justice de la Cruz.
Since suspected pork barrel fund scam operator Janet Lim-Napoles is a respondent in all the cases filed against the lawmakers, she will face charges and/or trial in all three courts.
On Friday, the First Division issued the warrant of arrest for Revilla and the other co-accused.
Revilla is now detained at the Custodial Center of the Philippine National Police (PNP) in Camp Crame under the custody of the police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group. –
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