Enrile sees plunder acquittal

Senate Minority Leader Juan Ponce Enrile expects to be cleared of the plunder charge against him for the alleged misuse of his pork barrel funds because, he says, the case against him does not hold water.

Speaking at a Senate forum Thursday, Enrile said:  “I’m going to trial and I assure you, I’ll acquit myself because there’s no basis for the charges. I did not do anything.”

He said he was a lawyer and he had studied his case.

“I’m not saying I control the judges. I never talk to the judges. But I’ve studied my case … I know what we did,” he said.

The 91-year-old Enrile also spoke about his health.

While he regularly attends Senate sessions, he said he had a hard time hearing and could hardly see. He also has problems with his balance and has to hold on to people while walking.

His blood pressure, pulse rate and temperature are also checked daily.

“What is happening to me is that I get cramps. I suffer from pain,” he said.

The Supreme Court granted Enrile’s petition for bail on humanitarian grounds, citing his health condition. Leila B. Salaverria