Gov’t prosecutors withdraw amended plunder case vs Enrile
Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile (inset). Sandiganbayan on the background. RICHARD A. REYES AND RAFFY LERMA
MANILA, Philippines–Government prosecutors on Monday withdrew their bid to amend the plunder case against Senator Juan Ponce Enrile to avoid delays in the disposition of the case.
“The serious delays imminent from the exchange of pleadings are incongruent to the prosecution’s interests. Indeed, it is in its interest to expedite matters and ensure the absence of hindrances to the swift conclusion of the case,” the prosecution said in its motion.
The prosecution noted that it has decided to withdraw the motion following events that unfolded in the two other Anti-Graft Court divisions where parties sought time to comment on the government’s bid to amend the charge sheet.
The Sandiganbayan first division dismissed the prosecution’s motion to amend the case against Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. Then, the prosecutors moved to withdrew their same motion on the case of Senator Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada after the Sandiganbayan Fifth Division warned that the senator could be released from detention if the motion was granted.
The prosecutors added that their move is consistent with the anti-graft court’s intention to “conduct the proceedings with utmost efficiency and least disruption.”
The Sandiganbayan is handling the plunder and violation of the anti-graft law cases filed against Enrile, Estrada and Revilla.
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