Former Senator Juan Ponce Enrile. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO/RAFFY LERMA
The pre-trial of former Senator Juan Ponce Enrile for his graft cases was deferred anew and reset to next year due to the unfinished marking of evidence.
This after both the prosecuting and defense panels asked the Sandiganbayan Third Division for an extension of the preliminary conference for the marking of 19 folders of evidence.
READ: Enrile ‘pork’ scam pre-trial cancelled | Enrile defense tactics to delay pre-trial denied
During the pre-trial, both parties would prepare for the conduct of the trial proper, including the marking of exhibits, stipulation of facts, identification of issues and identification of the number of dates each party needs for presentation of evidence.
The pre-trial for Enrile’s 15 counts of graft was reset to June 26, 2017, or next year, unduly delaying the trial proper of the case of the 92-year-old veteran lawmaker filed two years ago or June 2014.
READ: Ombudsman files graft charges vs Napoles, Revilla, Estrada, Enrile | 42 graft raps filed vs Estrada, Enrile, Revilla, Napoles
The preliminary conference would last from January to May 2017.
Enrile was charged with plunder and 15 counts of graft for allegedly receiving P172.8 million in kickbacks from accused mastermind Janet Lim-Napoles through his alleged agents Ruby Tuason and then chief of staff Jessica Lucila “Gigi” Reyes.
READ: Enrile defense hit: ‘Are we waiting for the next elections?’
While Enrile was granted bail, Reyes is detained at the female dormitory of the Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig as she faces a plunder trial.
In its decision denying Napoles’ bail plea in the Enrile plunder case, the anti-graft court Third Division said there is compelling evidence Reyes received Enrile’s share in the alleged scam.
State witness Ruby Tuason tagged Reyes as the one who received Enrile’s alleged kickbacks. But the court noted none of the witnesses saw Reyes hand Enrile the money.
READ: There’s compelling evidence Reyes received Enrile kickbacks–Sandigan |Gigi Reyes complained her kickback short of P500K, witness tells court
Enrile was granted bail by the Supreme Court based on humanitarian considerations, even while his fellow co-accused former Senators Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada and Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. remained detained at the Philippine National Police Custodial Center pending their plunder trial. RAM/rga