Enrile, Gigi Reyes may be close to each other even in detention

Even behind bars, Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile may still stay close to lawyer Jessica Lucila “Gigi” Reyes, his former chief of staff who has been romantically linked to him. INQUIRER FILE PHOTOS

MANILA, Philippines–Even behind bars, Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile may still stay close to lawyer Jessica Lucila “Gigi” Reyes, his former chief of staff who has been romantically linked to him.

The Philippine National Police on Wednesday said the last room in the four-room detention bungalow in the Custodial Center at Camp Crame would be used to hold a female detainee.

“A steel fence has already been placed outside the room to separate the area from the first three rooms,” PNP spokesperson Chief Supt. Reuben Theodore Sindac told the Inquirer.

“That room will serve as the female detention cell for the individuals charged in connection with the pork barrel scam,” he said.

According to Sindac, Reyes and Pauleen Labayen, Sen. Jinggoy Estrada’s former aide, are the only females among those indicted for plunder over the P10-billion pork barrel scam, besides the alleged mastermind, Janet Lim-Napoles.

Napoles is detained in a police camp in Santa Rosa City in Laguna province on serious illegal detention charges brought against her by Benhur Luy, her nephew and former aide who disclosed her alleged racket to the authorities last year.

“It’s possible that Labayen and Reyes will share the fourth room if the Sandiganbayan orders their detention in the PNP Custodial Center,” Sindac said.

He said Enrile might be held in the third detention room, adjacent to the cell of Reyes and Labayen, if the Sandiganbayan orders his arrest and detention in the PNP Custodial Center.

But Inquirer sources said it was likely Enrile would be held in a hospital because of his advanced age.

Asked if it was possible for Enrile to spend time in jail next to Reyes, Sindac reluctantly replied: “Yes, it’s possible if the court issues commitment orders for them.”

Estrada has been locked up in the second room of the building since his arrest on Monday.

His close friend and fellow movie actor, Sen. Bong Revilla, is held in the first room of the detention building since he was arrested last Friday.

Both have been indicted for plunder and graft in the Sandiganbayan in connection with the pork barrel scam.

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