MANILA, Philippines — Senator Juan Ponce Enrile and businesswoman Janet Lim Napoles pleaded not guilty before the Sandiganbayan on Friday of charges of graft linked to the "pork barrel" scam.
"I am not guilty. I have not committed any crime," Enrile said.
Lawyer Jessica "Gigi" Reyes, Enrile's former chief of staff, meanwhile, refused to enter any plea, with the anti-graft court entering a "not guilty" plea for her.
The three accused were arraigned for 15 counts of graft before the Sandiganbayan Third Division for embezzling millions from Enrile's Priority Development Assistance Funds.
Reyes was said to have directly transacted with Napoles, according to testimonies of whistleblowers led by Benhur Luy.
Other co-accused, including several government employees who allegedly acted as agents of Napoles, pleaded not guilty with some refusing to enter any plea.
During the proceedings, Enrile apparently had difficulty standing up and almost tripped over when asked to transfer seats. He was allowed by the presiding judge to sit down.
Enrile is under custody at the Philippine National Police General Hospital at Camp Crame headquarters in Quezon City. Napoles and Reyes are detained in isolation at Camp Baong Diwa in Taguig.