Enrile walks free 2 days after SC ruling

Senator Juan Ponce Enrile. MARC JAYSON CAYABYAB/INQUIRER.net FILE PHOTO

Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile finally walked out of his hospital detention at Camp Crame a free man on Thursday night, two days after the Supreme Court granted his provisional liberty and more than a year after he was ordered arrested on plunder charges.

Accompanied by relatives, his lawyers and police escorts, a smiling Enrile arrived at the Sandiganbayan at 6:30 p.m. and was immediately taken to the court’s Third Division where his fingerprints were taken.

“I would like to state on record that my faith in the probity and justness of the judiciary has been vindicated,” Enrile told reporters after he appeared before Presiding Justice Amparo Cabotaje-Tang.

“I will go back to my work and serve no interest except the interest of the country,” he said.

The 91-year-old senator said he was not sure when he would return to the Senate.

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Asked what he wanted to do after winning his temporary freedom, he said: “I will read.”

“Baka (maybe),” Enrile said when asked if he would visit fellow opposition Senators Bong Revilla and Jinggoy Estrada, who were also being held for plunder in connection with the multibillion-peso fund racket.

Dennis Pulma, Third Division clerk of court, immediately issued Enrile’s release order shortly after Tang approved his bail in deference to the high court’s ruling.

Enrile stayed for only a few minutes at the antigraft court since his lawyers had already settled his P1.45-million bail bond before he arrived.

Enrile’s eight-vehicle convoy exited Philippine National Police General Hospital in under 30 seconds, without stopping by the members of the media to grant interviews.

The entourage included the PNP health service’s ambulance, a police patrol car from the Cubao police station and two motorcycle escorts, braving the heavy rain in the area.

The convoy also had four sport utility vehicles and a van, and another sedan.

Enrile has been waiting for his release since Tuesday after the Supreme Court allowed him to post bail for his plunder case before the Sandiganbayan.

Chief Insp. Raymond Santos, the PNP health service spokesman, said the senator’s hospital bill was around P76,000 on Thursday, or after 154 days of confinement.

The police official said Enrile paid P59,400 of the bill, since he enjoyed benefits from PhilHealth and a discount as a senior citizen.–Marlon Ramos and Julie M. Aurelio, Philippine Daily Inquirer