Court denies Gigi Reyes motion to dismiss plunder case

MANILA, Philippines — Anti-graft court Sandiganbayan has denied the motion of lawyer Jessica "Gigi" Reyes, former chief of staff of former Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile, to dismiss the plunder case against her.

Reyes, along with Enrile, is facing a plunder case in connection with the P172.8-million pork barrel scam.

Voting 4-1, the Third Division of the Sandiganbayan denied Reyes' motion to quash the charges against her for lack of merit.

The court stressed that the Supreme Court order to clarify the plunder charge was validly filed.

The Sandiganbayan rejected Reyes' argument that the bill of particulars filed to clarify the case did not specify which individual committed "overt criminal acts" constituting plunder.

Reyes will remain detained at the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology compound in Taguig City while facing a non-bailable case.

On Aug. 18, 2015, the Supreme Court allowed Enrile to post bail after filing a bail petition citing that the court should consider his advanced age and his voluntary surrender.

Enrile had been under hospital arrest at the Philippine National Police General Hospital at Crame Crame prior to posting bail.

He was charged with plunder and graft for allegedly amassing kickbacks from the scam of Priority Development Assistance Funds from 2004 to 2010.