Senate minority group expecting more political storm

MANILA, Philippines - The Senate minority group is expecting more political storms following the arrest of Senate Minority Leader Juan Ponce Enrile on Friday afternoon.

Sen. Nancy Binay, daughter of Vice President Jejomar Binay, said the minority group remained unfazed by the recent arrest of two of its members -- Enrile and Sen. Jinggoy Estrada.

"The minority is still intact and prepared to confront political storms to come,” Binay said.

Sought for a statement before Enrile’s arrest, Binay expressed hope that “the arresting officers will extend due courtesy to JPE given his age and health.”

Senate deputy minority leader Sen. Vicente Sotto III maintained that the minority group can still withstand all challenges despite the detention of the minority leader.

“There will always be a minority even if there will only be one (senator),” said Sotto, who will be in an acting capacity as minority leader.

Enrile joins opposition Estrada and Sen. Ramon Revilla Jr. at the Philippine National Police (PNP) Custodial Center at Camp Crame.

The three senators were ordered arrested by the Sandiganbayan for the non-bailable plunder charges over the alleged misuse of their Priority Development Assistance Fund.

With Enrile now under police custody, the minority group now has four remaining members including Sotto, Gregorio Honasan, Juan Victor Ejercito --dubbed as part of the macho bloc -- and their muse, Binay.

Honasan, who has also been implicated in alleged pork barrel fund misuse, has been mum on the latest developments.

Ejercito earlier slammed the persecution by the Aquino administration. He said the administration is out to disable the political opposition in the run up to the 2016 presidential elections.