Enrile leaves Miriam’s fate to new Senate leadership

MANILA, Philippines - Senate Minority Leader Juan Ponce Enrile believes it’s up to Senate President Franklin Drilon to decide whether Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago will continue to enjoy her salaries, perks and P200-million pork barrel despite her extended sick leave.

“I do not know that we have that privilege,” he said. “We are not members of the Civil Service, we are elected officials.”

Enrile was asked about the issue days after Santiago herself sought the legal opinion of the Civil Service Commission on how long she can be on medical leave, with or without pay.

Enrile and Santiago have been at odds for more than a year after they clashed on issues, including the former Senate president’s decision to give out Christmas bonuses last year.

Enrile said he cut off the operation budget for the Office of then Sen. Panfilo Lacson when the latter went into hiding in connection with the Dacer-Corbito slay. 

“In the case of Senator Lacson, he was out of the country, and I issued a travel authority to him but it lapsed and he was not reporting,” he said.

“Now about the senator that you were mentioning, (she) is working. I don’t know whether at home or not. She is sick but always issues press releases and keeps on attending speaking engagements.”

Enrile said it is hard to crack Santiago’s case which would depend now on the new Senate leadership under Drilon.

When Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV was detained  at Camp Crame, his office continued to operate and received budget allocations, he added.