(Eagle News)–The Sandiganbayan has junked the petition for bail filed by the former chief of staff of ex-Senator Juan Ponce Enrile.
In a 16-page resolution, the third division said it denied Gigi Reyes’ plea for lack of merit.
According to the division, the evidence of guilt against Reyes was after all strong, citing the testimonies of Marina Sula, Merlina Suñas, Benhur Luy, and Ruby Tuason that she was part of an elaborate scheme to channel millions of pesos from Enrile’s Priority Development Assistance Fund from 2004 to 2010 to alleged pork barrel scam queen Janet Lim Napoles’ bogus nongovernment organizations.
The scheme allegedly resulted in P172.8 million in kickbacks to Enrile.
The division also noted the crime Reyes was being charged with was plunder, a “capital offense.”
“.. The grant of bail is therefore discretionary and not a matter of right,” the division said.
The resolution was penned by Associate Justice Bernelito Fernandez.
This was concurred with by Presiding Justice Amparo Cabotaje-Tang and Associate Justice Sarah Jane Fernandez.
Reyes is detained at the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology Female Dormitory in Camp Bagong Diwa.