'Status quo' on Enrile, Gigi Reyes detention

MANILA, Philippines - Senator Juan Ponce Enrile and her former chief of staff Gigi Reyes could stay at their present detention facility for now.

Lawyer Dennis Pulma, clerk of court of the Sandiganbayan 3rd Division, said that the two plunder suspects would have to stay put pending the court's rulings on their petitions.

Enrile is asking the court to allow him to remain under hospital arrest at the Philippine National Police General Hospital while Reyes is asking the court to be transferred from the Sandiganbayan's detention facility to the PNP Custodial Center in Camp Crame.

"Status quo muna. Kung saan sila naka detained dun muna sila," Lawyer Dennis Pulma, clerk of court of the 3rd Division, said, adding that the anti-graft body has yet to issue a commitment order.

During Tuesday's hearing, Presiding Justice Amparo Cabotaje-Tang told both parties that the Court would be coming out with the rulings after the prosecution panel can file their reply to the motions of Enrile Reyes.

Pulma said they received the opposition and reply of government prosecutors minutes before the office closed around 4:30 p.m. Tuesday.

The Court earlier ordered that Reyes be detained at the nearest detention cell, which is the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology female dormitory in Camp Karingal, after she surrendered late Friday night.

The BJMP, however, said that they could not provide a better facility for Reyes.

Enrile and Reyes, his former chief of staff, are accused of plunder for allegedly pocketing government funds through the pork barrel scam.