MANILA, Philippines — Two opposition senators on Thursday pressed for the house arrest of detained Senator Juan Ponce Enrile, who was rushed to Makati Medical Center due to pneumonia.
“For humanitarian considerations, JPE (Enrile’s initials) should be allowed house arrest. At that advance age and condition, he needs proper care at home,” Senator Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito said in a text message to reporters.
Acting Senate Minority Leader Vicente “Tito” Sotto III, in a separate text message, said he would also study the possibility of filing a motion on the floor on Monday “ to ask that JPE be given house arrest.”
But Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero said it would be difficult for the Senate to make a stand on the issue lest it be accused of trying to influence the court.
Instead of a house arrest, detained Senator Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada preferred that Enrile should be granted bail by the court.
Both Enrile and Estrada, along with Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr., were charged with plunder, a non-bailable offense, in connection with the “pork barrel” scam. Estrada and Revilla have been detained at the facility of the Philippine National Police while Enrile has been in a hospital arrest, also inside the PNP compound.
“He should be granted bail for humanitarian reason not only house arrest,” Estrada said in a statement.
But Senator Antonio Trillanes IV said a hospital arrest is still the “best place” for the detained senator.
“I believe that a hospital is still the best place to take care of his fragile health,” Trillanes said in another text message.