Gigi wants laptop with net connection, printer at detention cell

MANILA, Philippines - The lawyers of detained Jessica Lucila "Gigi" Reyes asked the Sandiganbayan to allow her to have a laptop computer with printer and internet connection in her detention cell at Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City.

 

In their motion, Reyes' legal counsels told the Sandiganbayan's Third Division that their client would be better in recollecting important information regarding her plunder and graft cases before the tribunal.

 

"With her detention and medical condition... Reyes is already handicapped in assisting her counsel prepare her defense for trial... Allowing Reyes to use laptop computer with printer and internet connection while in detention will mitigate this handicap," the motion read.

 

Her lawyers said that with laptop, Reyes could "access and review the evidence for and against her, recollect, write, code and store her narration of vital facts and arrange her documentary exhibits in orderly fashion for their submission in Court."

 

They also cited that several states in the United States have allowed their inmates to use a computer.

 

"Even hardened terrorist suspects detained by the United States Military at the Guatanamo Bay Prison in Cuba are allowed access laptop computers to enable them to prepare for their defense," Reyes' motion said.

 

If allowed by the tribunal to use a laptop, Reyes would only use it to solely to files pertaining to the pork barrel cases against her, the defense counsels said.

 

Her lawyers requested the Court to hear the motion on September 8.