Enrile expresses readiness to face ‘pork’ scam trial

Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile. Photo by Lilem Uy / PCIJ

MANILA — Senate minority leader Juan Ponce Enrile on Monday declared he is ready to face plunder and graft charges set to be filed by the Office of the Ombudsman at the Sandiganbayan.

”I’m prepared to deal with the problem in the court room,” Enrile said in media interview before Monday session.

Enrile made his reaction to reports that Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales is set to file charges against Enrile and pork barrel scam co-accused Senators Jinggoy Estrada and Ramon Revilla Jr. once she returns from official trip in the United States.

”I’m waiting for their (Ombudsman) move. I’m not bothered. In a fair trial, I’m ready to face anybody,” the 90-year-old lawmaker said.

Enrile, a lawyer by profession, said his lawyers are prepared to handle his plunder case.

The three senators will face arrest once the Office of the Ombudsman files the plunder charges with the Sandiganbayan.

”As a law practitioner, I grew in the court room,” Enrile said.

Meanwhile, Revilla’s lawyer Joel Bodegon criticized the Ombudsman for saying there are enough evidence to file plunder charges against the three senators in the alleged P10-billion priority development assistance fund (PDAF) scam.

”The Ombudsman’s statements clearly show her bias against those who she should be investigating with impartiality and fairness,” Bodegon said in a press statement.

Bodegon said the Ombudsman’s bias “is further confirmed by her denial of our pleas to be furnished copies of all the counter-affidavits and other evidence submitted by other respondents because allegedly ‘there is no cogent reason’ for our request.”