De Lima forms task force to probe Enrile

COPY of the Department Order 994 issued by Justice Secretary Leila de Lima

MANILA, Philippines—A Department of Justice-National Bureau of Investigation (DoJ-NBI) Special Task Force has been created to probe alleged illegal activities of Senator Juan Ponce Enrile.

Justice Secretary Leila de Lima designated Undersecretary Jose Justiniano as head of the special task force. He will be assisted by Assistant State Prosecutors Niven Canlapan and Nolibien Quiambao, State Counsel IV Adonis Sulit, State Counsel I Charles Romulus Cambaliza and lawyers Jonathan Mengullo and Catherine Camposano of the National Bureau Investigation (NBI) anti-graft division.

Based on Department Order 994 made public Friday, the task force has three months to complete its probe.

The team will investigate the alleged illegal importation of vehicles through the Cagayan Special Economic Zone and Freeport (CSEZFP) in conspiracy with Cagayan Economic Zone Authority (Ceza) Administrator Jose Mari Ponce and James Kocher.

Kocher is Enrile’s son-in-law who runs an automobile import business inside the CSEZFP and is allegedly involved in smuggling, De Lima stated in the Department Order.

Also to be investigated is the online gambling operations in CSEZFP. The DOJ said Enrile has been accused of working for the issuance of a “master license” to First Cagayan License and Resort Corp., which later allowed foreign entities to engage in online gambling for seven years.

Meridien Vista Gaming Corp., meanwhile, was given the opportunity to operate jai-alai and betting stations in the Cagayan Freeport. Enrile is the author of the law (Republic Act 7922) that created the Ceza.

The DoJ also ordered an investigation on Enrile’s alleted illegal logging activities through San Jose Lumber whose license expired in 2007, submission of falsified Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN) and other related criminal offenses.

“The Special Task Force is likewise mandated to evaluate the evidence gathered and recommend possible courses of action or legal processes, including, but not limited to, the filing of the appropriate criminal complaints as the evidence may warrant…” De Lima said in the order.

Aside from the filing of appropriate complaints, a request to the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) and filing of forfeiture cases for ill-gotten wealth in coordination with the Office of the Solicitor General may follow suit.

The group was also authorized to tap other NBI agents to assist in the investigation.

De Lima’s action came as a response to the letter of Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago who, in her privilege speech made several allegations against Enrile.

Enrile has denied Santiago’s allegations.