‘Enrile role during martial law excluded in probe’

MANILA, Philippines - The alleged crimes committed by Senate Minority Leader Juan Ponce Enrile during martial law may not be included in the investigation by a special task force into his other reported transgressions raised by Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago.

This was according to Justice Secretary Leila de Lima, who formed the task force to investigate Santiago’s accusations.

“It might no longer be feasible to look into that (martial law role) because these were committed a long time ago. The crime has already prescribed and it would already be difficult to look for evidence,” De Lima said. Enrile was defense minister during martial law.

There is a “prescription period” in the law within which a criminal complaint can be pursued.

The DOJ’s convening a special task force was in response to Santiago’s call – made in a privilege speech early this month – that the government investigate Enrile for allegedly abusing his position to gain wealth and power.

Santiago said the Senate minority leader was also involved in illegal gambling, illegal logging, and smuggling of vehicles through the Cagayan Economic Zone Authority (CEZA).

The task force would also be looking into Enrile’s reported wrongful submission of assets, liabilities and net worth and “other related acts constituting criminal offenses under the existing laws.”

De Lima said they “might be accused of dereliction of duty” if they ignore Santiago’s request.

Justice Undersecretary Jose Justiniano heads the task force with Assistant State Prosecutors Niven Canlapan and Nolibien Quiambao, government lawyers Adonis Sulit and Charles Romulus Cambaliza, and National Bureau of Investigation agents Jonathan Mengullo and Catherine Camposano as members.