Jinggoy happy for Enrile, hopes SC will side with him, Bong, too
Senators Jinggoy Estrada, Bong Revilla and Juan Ponce Enrile. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
“Justice has been served” for detained Senate Minority Leader Juan Ponce Enrile, detained Senator Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada said on Tuesday shortly after the Supreme Court allowed Enrile to post bail.
READ: SC grants Enrile bid for bail
“Senator Bong Revilla and I are very happy for JPE (Enrile’s initials). Justice has been served for JPE,” Estrada said in a statement issued through his staff.
Like Enrile and Estrada, Revilla was also charged with plunder and has been detained over the “pork barrel” scam.
“We commend the SC ruling. We are still very hopeful that we will follow soon so we can report back to work,” said Estrada.
“Kung dadalawin niya kami bago siya lumabas magkikita-kita kami (If he visits us before he leaves, we will have a reunion),” he added.
Estrada said the SC’s decision was also a victory for the Senate as an institution.
“Magkakaroon na ulit ng buhay at boses ang minority sa Senado (The Senate minority will have its life and voice again),” he said.
Senators Francis “Chiz” Escudero and Ralph Recto said they look forward to working with Enrile again.
“This is a seminal and precedent-setting decision on the right to bail given the unique theory used by Senator Enrile. Many other accused can benefit from this decision. I congratulate him on his legal victory and look forward to working with him again in the Senate,” Escudero said in a text message to reporters.
Recto, in another statement, said in jest: “I am looking forward to working with the youngest member of the Senate.”
“With our agenda full, hard labor awaits him here. With his experience, he can certainly enrich the discussions on the budget and the BBL (Bangsamoro Basic Law),” he said.
“It is also worth noting that his liberty came on the 70th anniversary of the end of the war with Japan, which he fought in, and serves as a testament to the man’s resilience and staying power,” Recto added.
For his part, Senate President Franklin Drilon said they would respect and abide the SC decision.
“We respect the decision of the Supreme Court granting bail to Senator Juan Ponce Enrile,” said Drilon.
“The Senate will always respect, follow and implement every decision of the courts. We will abide by the legal processes as we have always done in the past,” he further said. Maila Ager/IDL
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