Enrile, Reyes, Napoles cleared in pork barrel scam

Former senator now chief presidential legal counsel Juan Ponce Enrile was cleared of his remaining case at the Sandiganbayan in connection with the multibillion-peso pork barrel fund scam.

- By ELIZABETH MARCELO

In a decision promulgated yesterday, the anti-graft court’s Third Division acquitted Enrile, his former chief of staff Jessica Lucila “Gigi” Reyes and detained businesswoman Janet Lim-Napoles of 15 counts of violation of Section 3 (e) of Republic Act 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, citing the prosecution’s “failure to prove their guilt beyond reasonable doubt.”

Enrile attended the promulgation via online video conference as his lawyer, Erwin Matib, informed the court that the 101-year-old former lawmaker was confined in the hospital.

Napoles also attended the promulgation via online video conference from the Correctional Institution for Women in Mandaluyong City where she is currently detained.

Reyes, who personally attended the proceeding, turned emotional after the promulgation, briefly telling reporters she was “thankful” of the court's decision.

“The court relied purely on the evidence presented and there was really no evidence against us. This isa vindication,” said Reyes’ defense lawyer Anacleto Diaz.

Also acquitted of the cases were 30 other accused, including former Department of Budget and Management undersecretary Mario Relampagos, former DBM chief budget and management specialist Rosario Nunez and former administrative assistants Marilou Bare and Lalaine Paule as well as former officials of the defunct state firm Technology Resource Center (TRC): deputy director general Dennis Cunanan, group manager Maria Rosalinda Lacsamana and chief accountant Marivic Jover.

The court also acquitted Gondelina Amata, Emmanuel Sevidal, Ofelia Ordonez, Filipina Rodriguez, Chita Jalandoni and Sofia Cruz — all former officers of the abolished state firm National Livelihood Dev. Corp. (NLDC) ~ as well as several private respondents that include Napoles’ children Jo Christine and James Christopher.