The Sandiganbayan has postponed anew the trial of former Senator Juan Ponce Enrile in connection with his alleged involvement in the multibillion-peso pork barrel scam.
Sandiganbayan Third Division Chairperson and Presiding Justice Amparo Cabotaje-Tang allowed the camp of Enrile—represented by lawyer Estelito Mendoza—to file their proposed stipulations of facts on Oct. 21.
At the same time, the court gave the government prosecutors, led by Arieta Say, 10 days to respond to Enrile’s submission.
Enrile is accused of pocketing some P172.8 million of his pork barrel or Priority Development Assistance Fund by channeling the money to the fake nongovernment organizations of convicted plunderer Janet Lim-Napoles.
He was initially detained at the National Police Custodial Center in Camp Crame, Quezon City but was later released by he court on humanitarian grounds. He is 95 years old.
Since he faces a non-bailable offense that is punishable by life imprisonment, the Sandiganbayan said a good cause exists for the motion of Enrile to be granted.
The court earlier granted granted Enrile's motion for the Ombudsman to produce the material evidence in its possession.
Despite the court's order, however, the Sandiganbayan said the scope of the evidence Enrile may access is limited to documents related to the case's "bill of particulars" or the itemization of charges against him.
The former Senate President earlier asked the Sandiganbayan to order the Ombudsman "to produce and permit the copying or photographing of any and all documents" mentioned in the bill of particulars.
The Sandiganbayan was supposed to begin Oct. 16 the trial on Enrile's plunder case.