Sandiganbayan orders Gigi Reyes’ transfer to Bicutan jail

Atty. Jessica Reyes. POOL PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—The Sandiganbayan third division on Wednesday decided to transfer Jessica Lucila “Gigi” Reyes to the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) female dormitory at Camp Bagong Diwa in Bicutan, Taguig.

This after the court junked for lack of merit Reyes’ motion for her to be transferred to the Philippine National Police (PNP) Custodial Center, where Senators Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. and Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada are detained.

According to its minute resolution, the court said persons charged with the commission of the crime must be jailed at the detention nearest to the court.

The court also said under the law, the accused awaiting trial must be detained at jails under the supervision of the BJMP.

The court, however, said the PNP Custodial Center is not under the BJMP’s jurisdiction.

“Notably, accused Reyes has not sufficiently shown any compelling reason why she should not be detained in a regular jail,” the motion read.

The court then issued the commitment order for Reyes to be transferred to Camp Bagong Diwa.

Reyes was temporarily detained at the Sandiganbayan jail after she surrendered amid the plunder case against her for her alleged involvement in the pork barrel scam.

The court had initially intended to transfer Reyes to the Quezon City Jail, but officials of the detention facility said it does not have the capacity to secure a high-profile detainee like Reyes.

Reyes is the former chief of staff of Senator Juan Ponce Enrile.

Estrada and Revilla had been ordered by the Sandiganbayan Fifth and First divisions, respectively, to be detained at the PNP Custodial Center.

Meanwhile, Enrile’s motion for hospital arrest remains pending as the court required the Philippine General Hospital to conduct a medical check-up.

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