BY PRINCE GOLEZ
Manila Reporter
MANILA – The Ombudsman has denied the motions of reconsideration of Senators Juan Ponce Enrile, Jinggoy Estrada and Ramon Revilla Jr., and businesswoman Janet Lim Napoles in the multibillion-peso pork barrel scam.
Iloilo City’s Sen. Miriam Defensor Santiago said that ruling proves “there is a God, after all.”
Santiago said the Ombudsman should now file the complaints in the anti-graft court.
In a statement, the Ombudsman said the motions for reconsideration filed were “rehashes of the arguments previously raised and already resolved by this Office.”
“The Office is set to file with the Sandiganbayan the criminal informations for Plunder and violations of Section 3(e) of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act,” the order added.
“The crime of plunder is non-bailable,” Santiago said.
She once again criticized her arch-enemy Enrile, saying he would only look like a “fool” should he defend himself in the court.
“Any boasting on the part of the accused is just whistling in the dark. For example, Enrile said he might represent himself,” the feisty Ilongga said.
Malacañang welcomes the Ombudsman ruling.
The Ombudsman resolution, which states there is sufficient evidence pointing to the accused being behind the crime, “represents a significant step forward in the judicial process,” it stressed.
Public awareness of corruption, according to the Palace, “has led our people to insist upon higher standards in public accountability.”
Meanwhile, Estrada said he would no longer wait for the warrant of arrest to be issued against him and would instead surrender directly to the “proper authorities.”
Estrada said he was no longer surprised by the decision of the Ombudsman, saying it was expected./PN
