Sandiganbayan justice says Enrile bail today unlikely

Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile may have to remain in detention for one more day as the Sandiganbayan has yet to receive a copy of the Supreme Court (SC) ruling granting his petition to post bail announced Tuesday.

 

"We have nothing to officially act on without the duly-furnished SC decision," Sandiganbayan Presiding Justice Amparo Cabotaje-Tang said in a statement.

 

Tang explained that the SC decision would have to be "promulgated by the SC Clerk of Court en banc" and a copy of which may not be delivered to the Sandiganbayan today.

 

The magistrate, meanwhile, said that she has ordered some court employees to report for work on Wednesday, August 19, to receive the bail bond.

 

August 19 is a holiday in Quezon City.

 

"I am instructing some employees here to report for work tomorrow, including myself," she said.

 

Voting 8-4, the SC granted Enrile's petition to post bail.

 

An earlier report on GMA's News TV Live said the Supreme Court set Enrile's bail at P1 million.

 

Enrile is facing the non-bailable offense of plunder for allegedly pocketing P172 million in kickbacks from the pork barrel scam.

 

In a television interview, Enrile's daughter, Katrina, said that the lawyers of her father may be able to post bail anytime today.

 

Enrile's lawyer Joseph Sagandoy said in a statement that they will immediately post bail.

 

"We are thankful that the supreme court granted senator Enrile's petition for bail. We will immediately post the required bail so the senator can again actively perform his duties and responsibilities as a senator," Sagandoy said.

 

He added that the plunder case against the 91-year-old senator will "practically go back to square one" because the high court previously granted his motion for bill of particulars.

 

"The prosecution will have to amend the information against him or provide the required details and particulars of the charges against him. Otherwise, the case may be dismissed," the lawyer said. —Elizabeth Marcelo/ALG, GMA News