Sotto seeks house arrest for ailing Enrile

Sen. Vicente Sotto III. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines —  Acting  Senate Minority  Leader Vicente “Tito” Sotto  III  formally asked  the Senate on Monday to pass a resolution, asking the  proper authority to exercise  its  “judicial compassion”   and allow Senator Juan Ponce Enrile to be detained at  his residence  in  Makati City.

Enrile has been detained at the  Philippine National Police (PNP)  General  Hospital  on plunder and graft charges in connection with the  pork barrel scam. Two other senators — Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada and  Ramon “Bong” Revilla  Jr. were also charged with   plunder and  graft  and detained  inside the PNP compound.

Taking the floor on a matter of  personal privilege,  Sotto recognized  the  separation of the three great branches of our government and  “that the administration of justice is better left uncommented on by the other  two branches.”

“But I’m also  aware that  this separation is neither airtight nor flexible. They are dynamic, and the inputs of  one to the other may likewise serve the principles of justice  and  public interest,”  he said.

“My thesis  is, under present circumstances, justice is no less diminished should Senator Juan Ponce-Enrile be detained at his residence in Makati. He is not a flight risk and neither  is he  intending to be one. He was  rushed to the Makati Medical Center a few days ago, maybe because our government hospitals may not be properly equipped to handle his condition. His health concerns are many given the  fact that he is 91 years old,”  said the senator.

Enrile was  rushed to the Makati Medical Center last  Thursday due to pneumonia.

“I am not here to plead mercy. Senator Enrile has not been convicted. I simply want to rely on our operating principles that innocence is presumed. Furthermore,  upon reaching the age of seventy, even convicted criminals are considered  for pardon under present rules of the Department of Justice,”  said Sotto.

“I stand therefore for compassion and that judgment be withheld till all the evidence of guilt are all in,” he further said.

The senator then moved  that a resolution “expressing the sense of the Senate or at least  some of its  members, be passed and ask the proper authority to exercise its  judicial compassion and allow Senator Enrile to be detained at his residence in Makati which is near the  Makati Medical Center.”

Sotto said he  would leave  it to the  Senate leadership to act on his motion.

Responding to the motion, Senate President Franklin Drilon  referred  the matter to the committee on rules being   headed by Senate Majority Leader Alan Cayetano.

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