By PRINCE GOLEZ
Manila Reporter
MANILA — September did not start well for Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile. The Senate yesterday carried out the Sandiganbayan order to suspend him.
“I have no (other) recourse but to implement this,” said Senate President Franklin Drilon. “We received the order of the Sandiganbayan denying the motion for reconsideration of Senator Enrile.”
Sandiganbayan’s order was “immediately executory, unless restrained by the Supreme Court,” said Drilon.
Enrile’s suspension was related to the charges filed against the senator for being allegedly involved in the Priority Development Assistance Fund scam.
Enrile, 90, was accused of amassing P172 million in pork barrel kickbacks. He was detained in the Philippine National Police General Hospital in Quezon City.
According to Drilon, the suspension will be good for only 90 days.
The anti-graft court also denied the motion for reconsideration filed by Sen. Jinggoy Estrada, Enrile’s co-accused.
Drilon said the Senate may also suspend Estrada as soon as it receives an order from the Sandiganbayan.
Once suspended, Enrile cannot file bills and sign committee reports, the Ilonggo senator said.
An acting minority leader will take Enrile’s place, he added.
Enrile’s camp filed on Aug. 5 a motion to lift the 90-day suspension order against him.
Sandiganbayan’s Third Division denied the motion three weeks later./PN
