Sandigan denies Gigi Reyes plea for laptop, Wi-Fi access
Gigi Reyes. POOL PHOTO (file)
MANILA, Philippines – The Sandiganbayan third division on Monday denied the request of Jessica Lucila “Gigi” Reyes to have her own laptop and Wi-Fi in jail as she stands trial for plunder over the pork barrel scam.
Reyes had asked the court for access to Wi-Fi, laptop and printer so she could study her own case being a lawyer herself.
In a resolution promulgated Monday, the court said Reyes might use the gadgets to plan her escape.
“Laptop, computers and tablets with Internet connection can be used by inmates to acquire or gather information to plan their escape and perform other illicit activities,” it added.
The court said Reyes does not need access to these equipment since she already has her own lawyers to handle her case.
“Reyes already has her own counsels who already serve as her tool to attack and to challenge the condition of her confinement,” it added.
In her motion, Reyes said she wants to have a portable printer, a laptop and a Smart Bro pocket Wi-Fi to conduct legal research and communicate with her lawyer.
With her mixed anxiety disorder condition, Reyes said she needed all the resources necessary to assist her counsel.
“Allowing Reyes to use a laptop computer with printer and Internet connection while in detention will mitigate the handicap as it would allow Reyes to access and review the evidence for and against her, recollect, write and store her narration of vital facts and arrange her documentary exhibits in orderly fashion for their submission in court,” the motion read.
Reyes also said many American states allow inmates to have access to a computer.
She also said her detention facility does not have an actual or a virtual law library.
Reyes is the resigned chief of staff of Senator Juan Ponce Enrile. They are both accused for plunder and graft in the alleged diversion of pork barrel funds to ghost projects for kickbacks under the scheme of accused mastermind Janet Lim-Napoles.
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