Enrile’s bail petition junked

Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile

MANILA — The Sandiganbayan recently junked the petition to bail of Senate Minority Leader Juan Ponce Enrile.

Standing firm on its decision last month, the anti-graft court denied the senator’s motion for reconsideration asking the courts to allow him to bail.

The decision indicated that “accused Enrile filed a motion to fix bail, not a motion for bail, based on his submission that he is entitled to bail as a matter of right pending presentation of the prosecution of its evidence showing proof evident of his guilt.”

It added that bail can only be allowed and fixed if the prosecution failed on proving that the evidence against the accused is strong.

“Bail as to him is discretionary and such discretion is exercisable by the court only after the prosecution presented its evidence in a bail hearing,” the Sandiganbayan said adding that Enrile overlooked the gravity of the capital offense he is accused of.

“Accused Enrile has failed to present any sound reason why  the court should alter its earlier ruling,” read the decision.