Ombudsman decides not to push through its petition to amend the original plunder charge vs. Enrile

Office of the Ombudsman in Quezon City. Photo courtesy of DGR Law Offices.

MANILA — The Office of the Ombudsman officially decided on Monday not to push through its petition to amend the original plunder charge against Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile.

But the prosecution insisted that the move to amend the charges was only for the form and nothing to do with the substance.

The prosecution, led by John Turalba, the deputy special prosecutor, also claimed that a court ruling granting their request would further delay the case.

“It is in its interest to expedite matters and ensure the absence of hindrances to the swift conclusion of the case,” the motion said.

The prosecution cited the denial of a similar motion during the Sandiganbayan First Division’s arraignment of Sen. Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. and his co-accused last Thursday and the withdrawal of another one during the bail petition hearing last Friday of Sen. Jinggoy Estrada before the Sandiganbayan Fifth Division.

“Events that unfolded in relation to similar motions filed by the prosecution and heard before the First and Fifth Divisions of the Court have given herein plaintiff pause. Issues rose during said hearings and the processes it could have entailed for all involved to file their respective responsive pleadings, such as comments andoppositions, or even motions, became a consideration,” the prosecution said.