Gigi seeks deferment of plunder trial

MANILA, Philippines – Jessica “Gigi” Reyes, the former chief of staff of Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile, asked the Sandiganbayan not to proceed with the trial of her plunder case next week.

Reyes, through her lawyers, filed a motion before the anti-graft court’s Third Division pointing out her petition for certiorari before the Supreme Court filed in September 2014 is yet to be resolved.

“Should this honorable court therefore proceed to the trial of this case, it would in effect sanction the violation of accused Reyes’ right to due process of law during the preliminary investigation of this case,” her lawyers said.

Reyes, currently detained at the Taguig City Jail female dormitory in Camp Bagong Diwa, is questioning her indictment before the Sandiganbayan.

She said the Office of the Ombudsman did not give her enough opportunity to answer the accusations during its probe, specifically by giving her a copy of the affidavits of state witness Ruby Tuason.

The Sandiganbayan is scheduled to begin trial for Reyes and alleged pork barrel fund scam brains Janet Lim-Napoles on Jan. 13, with hearings held three times a week from Wednesdays to Fridays.

Co-accused Enrile will not be tried yet considering his pending motions at the Supreme Court, which has granted him bail on humanitarian grounds.