Up to Sandiganbayan to act on 3 senators’ ‘detention violations’

MANILA, Philippines–Have they bent the rules a bit too far?

The Philippine National Police is leaving it up to the Sandiganbayan antigraft court to decide what action to take against the three detained senators who are accused of committing a series of violations of the rules on their detention.

In the latest incident, the PNP found “irregularities” in the Feb. 14 visit of Senators Jinggoy Estrada and Bong Revilla to the PNP General Hospital during the 91st birthday celebration of another senator detainee, Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile.

“We submit to the wisdom and best judgment of the Sandiganbayan to determine further appropriate action as the anti-graft court deems necessary,” said PNP spokesperson Chief Supt. Generoso Cerbo Jr.

He said the PNP was leaving it to the Sandiganbayan to determine “if at all there were any violations of the conditions for detention committed by any of the detained senators.”

“For our part we will provide the court with all the necessary documents, information and facts surrounding the activities of the detained senators while under PNP custody,” Cerbo said.

Since the three senators were detained at Camp Crame on graft and plunder charges in connection with the pork barrel scam, members of the public have raised what were perceived to be violations of the rules of detention.

In July last year, Supt. Mario Malana was relieved as the chief of the PNP Custodial Center for allegedly allowing Estrada and Revilla to entertain visitors beyond the prescribed visiting hours.