Palace hopes for Gigi Reyes’ surrender

Lawyer Jessica Lucila “Gigi” Reyes. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines – Malacañang on Monday said it welcomes Jessica Lucilla “Gigi” Reyes’ plan to voluntarily surrender, if reports were to be believed.

“If it is true that Ms. Gigi Reyes is set to surrender then certainly it will be welcomed for us,” Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said in a Palace press briefing.

“At least, it alleviates our security sector, the duty of burden of trying to look for her and bringing her to the court,” he added.

A news report earlier said that the former chief of staff of Senator Juan Ponce Enrile would turn herself in once the Sandiganbayan orders her arrest.

Like Enrile, Reyes faces plunder and graft charges for her alleged involvement in the pork barrel scam.

On Monday morning, Senator Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada voluntarily surrendered after the fifth division of the graft court issued a warrant of arrest.

“Any actions by the respondents that will make the process expedited in terms of their voluntary surrender will certainly be welcomed because it shortcuts, expedites the whole process of securing their person,” Lacierda said.

Reyes was said to have been the middle man between Enrile and Janet Lim-Napoles.

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