SC dismisses Enrile petition questioning his suspension

MANILA, Philippines – The Supreme Court dismissed the petition filed by Senator Juan Ponce Enrile that questioned the 90-day suspension order imposed by the Sandiganbayan against him.

High Court’s information chief Theodore Te said the petition was dismissed because it was already moot and academic.

“The Court denied the petition for certiorari and prohibition with prayers for injunctive or status quo ante relief challenging the Sandiganbayan’s orders to preventively suspend Senator Enrile on the ground that it was moot ad academic due to supervening events,” Te said at a press conference Wednesday.

The high court noted that Enrile’s 90-day suspension has been lifted as of Dec. 1, 2014.

“Senator Enrile’s preventive suspension had already been served and lifted; as a result, the Sandiganbayan’s orders to this effect are already functus officio (served its purpose),” Te said.

Enrile went to the Supreme Court after the Sandiganbayan imposed the 90-day suspension order against him.

In his petition he said while he recognize the disciplinary power of the Ombudsman, the law itself stated that its disciplinary power does not cover members of Congress, judiciary and those removable by impeachment.

Enrile was suspended by the Sandiganbayan after he was charged with plunder in connection with the pork barrel scam. AC