Enrile, Reyes, Napoles cleared of plunder in Philippine pork barrel case


Gigi Reyes and former Senator Juan Ponce Enrile, who is currently President Ferdinand Marcos Jr’s chief legal counsel. The Sandiganbayan Special Third Division acquitted them of plunder during promulgation on Oct 4, 2024. - PDI

MANILA: Former Sen Juan Ponce Enrile, currently serving as President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s chief legal counsel, his former aide Jessica Lucila “Gigi” Reyes, and Janet Napoles, known for the moniker pork barrel scam queen, were acquitted of plunder.

The Sandiganbayan Special Third Division’s verdict on Enrile, Reyes, and Napoles during promulgation on Friday (Oct 4) stemmed from cases connected to the misuse of pork barrel funds, which broke out in 2013.

The anti-graft court’s decision came after it granted Enrile’s demurrer to evidence motion concerning his plunder case.

A demurrer to evidence is filed once the prosecution has rested its case. Here, the defendant argues that the prosecution’s evidence against him or her is inadequate to support the case.

The Ombudsman filed plunder complaints against Enrile, Reyes, Ronald Lim, John Raymund de Asis, and Janet Lim Napoles on June 5, 2014. They were accused of amassing P172 million from Enrile’s Priority Development Assistance Fund from 2004 to 2010.

In 2018, the Sandiganbayan found Napoles guilty of plunder in a separate case involving the misuse of Senator Ramon Revilla Jr’s pork barrel fund.

Other cases related to the pork barrel scam were likewise filed against Revilla and Jinggoy Estrada — however, both were eventually acquitted.

Enrile, Revilla, and Estrada ran for senator in the 2019 polls, but only Revilla won in that election. Estrada ran again in the 2022 polls and finally triumphed. - Philippine Daily Inquirer/ANN

Philippines , pork , barrel , Enrile , Reyes , Napoles

   

Next In Aseanplus News

Lion City’s messy cat problem
Thai police seek Interpol warrant for tycoon over alleged scam
Chinese woman dies after laser treatments for spot and birthmark removal
Hong Kong transgender woman slams HSBC for outing her with letter to employer
Soccer-Guardiola demands full commitment from Man City players after poor run
Datuk Vida responds to asset seizure controversy
Asean News Headlines at 10pm on Monday (Nov 25, 2024)
‘Ribbit’ or regret? Internet divided over Pizza Hut China’s frog-topped offering
Singapore announces civil servants to get 1.05 months of year-end bonus; junior grade officers to get additional S$600
Thai police probe monastery for using bodies in meditation

Others Also Read