MANILA, Philippines–It was just his opinion, not meant to influence anyone, Malacañang on Thursday said of President Benigno Aquino III’s statement on Senator Juan Ponce Enrile’s possible hospital arrest.
“Malinaw sa pahayag ng Pangulo na ipinapaubaya sa hukuman ang pasya kung saan maaring i-detine si Senator Enrile (The President clearly stated that the decision on where Senator Enrile will be detained lies with the court),” Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. told media.
“Ang sinabi lang niya ay isaalang-alang ang edad at kondisyon ng pangangatawan ng Senador. Hindi ito maaring maituturing na ini-impluwensya ng Pangulo ang sinuman (He merely said that the senator’s age
and condition should be taken into consideration. It should not be considered an attempt by the President to influence anyone),” he added.
Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
Coloma was reacting to the statements of the Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption (VACC), accusing Aquino of an impeachable offense by violating “public trust and confidence.”
VACC founding chairman Dante Jimenez pointed out that Aquino’s statements naturally carry weight because of his position.
Aquino on Tuesday acknowledged the fact that Enrile, who is facing plunder charges for his alleged involvement in the pork barrel scam, was already 90 years old and “have a lot of ailments.”
“Parang dapat may consideration naman ‘yon (Perhaps there should be consideration)―that is already an established fact,” he said, after citing a constitutional provision barring “cruel, degrading, inhuman punishment.”
Aquino, who worked with Enrile when he was still a senator, said the older official was already using eyedrops and a magnifying glass so he can read.
“I’m sure the courts will be cognizant of fulfilling the obligations, but at the same time, having as a factor the advanced age of Senator Enrile,” he said.
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