Treat Enrile “humanely”–Cayetano

Senate Majority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — Senator Juan Ponce-Enrile, who is facing arrest in connection with the “pork barrel” scam, should be treated “humanely,” Senate Majority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano said on Friday.

Enrile was the third senator to be arrested because of the pork barrel scam after Senators Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. and Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada.

“Treat him humanely,” Cayetano said during a press conference in Taguig City.

He also backed proposals for Enrile to be placed under a hospital arrest “if his medical condition calls” for it.

“I’m ok with hospital arrest if he needs it, if his medical condition calls for it. Pero kung hindi naman tinatawag ng kanyang kondiyon ang (pagpapahospital) (But if his medical condition does not require hospitalization), he should be treated just like anyone else but (they should) treat him humanely,” said Cayetano.

The two previously had bitter exchanges over Enrile’s alleged unequal releases of Christmas bonuses to senators when he was still the Senate President.

While supporting a hospital arrest for Enrile, Cayetano insisted that his accused colleague and all others charged over the “pork” scam should answer directly the allegations raised against them.

“What I think they should do is answer directly. Saan napunta yung pera? Magkano yung pera, bakit hind ito dumating sa tao (Where did the money go? How much is it and why did it not reach the people?),” he asked.

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