Sandigan defers JPE pre-trial for graft case

MANILA, Philippines - The Sandiganbayan deferred yesterday the scheduled pre-trial of the graft case against Senate Minority Leader Juan Ponce Enrile and several of his co-accused in the pork barrel fund scam.

The prosecution team admitted that it is not yet finished marking its evidence for the case.

State prosecutor Edwin Gomez asked the court to give their team 10 more days to finish the marking of voluminous documentary evidence they would present during the trial proper.

Third Division chairman Presiding Justice Amparo Cabotaje-Tang granted the prosecution’s request but warned the panel that it would be the final extension for the marking of its exhibits.

Third Division senior member Associate Justice Samuel Martires called on the prosecution to speed up the marking of their exhibits as he reminded the panel that it has been two years since the case was filed in the court in June 2014.

Meanwhile, Enrile’s lawyer Joseph Sagandoy Jr. said their camp has to wait for the prosecution to finish marking its exhibits to so that they can prepare their counter-evidence.

Enrile is on temporary liberty after the Supreme Court allowed him in August to post bail for “humanitarian considerations.”

The court reset the pre-trial on May 30.