Prosecutors seek Enrile's suspension

MANILA, Philippines - Government prosecutors on Tuesday filed a petition before the Sandiganbayan seeking the suspension of Senate Minority Leader Juan Ponce Enrile.

The request of the Office of the Special Prosecutor came following the arraignment of Enrile on the plunder case before the anti-graft court's 3rd Division.

In their motion to suspend Enrile, the prosecutors said the purpose of the suspension is "to preserve the integrity of the prosecution of the accused by preventing him from intimidating or influencing witnesses or tampering documentary evidence...".

"It is presumed that unless accused is suspended and prevented from discharging official acts, he may frustrate his prosecution and commit further acts of malfeasance," the motion read.

The prosecution team asked the court to schedule the hearing on their motion on the 18th of July.

The government's lawyers have also asked the suspension of Senators Ramon "Bong" Revilla Jr. and Jinggoy Estrada, who are also facing plunder charges over the pork barrel fund scam.

Revilla and Estrada are detained at the Philippine National Police Custodial Center in Camp Crame. Enrile, meanwhile, is being held at the PNP General Hospital in the same camp.

The three senators are all members of the Senate's minority group.