MANILA, Philippines - Senators Juan Ponce Enrile and Jinggoy Estrada regained their privileges as lawmakers, including receiving their monthly salaries, after the suspension orders against them were lifted over the weekend.
Senate President Franklin Drilon on Monday told reporters that the 90-day suspension orders issued by the Sandiganbayan against Enrile and Estrada ended on November 28 and 29, respectively.
“Yes, their entitlements as members of the Senate have been reinstated. Well, except for the fact that they cannot vote, because voting requires physical presence,” Drilon said.
He said Enrile's suspension order ended on November 28 while Estrada's ended last November 29.
“So, in accordance with the order which we implemented, the suspensions were terminated on those days, on the end of the 90-day period,” the Senate president said.
Drilon said the detained senators will have salaries again and may file measures as well.
"They are presumed innocent until proven guilty after all. We are only implementing the suspension order. So they are just back in the same situation as before their suspension.
Drilon, meanwhile, declined to comment on the possibility of allowing Enrile and Estrada conduct hearings while under detention at the Philippine National Police's Custodial Center in Camp Crame, Quezon City.
“That is a matter for the court and custodian to decide,” Drilon said.
Enrile, Estrada and Sen. Ramon Revilla were arrested earlier this year over accusations that they conspired with businesswoman Janet Lim Napoles in the embezzlement of their Priority Development Assistance Fund or pork barrel.
The three senators allegedly pocketed multi-million peso kickbacks from the the pork barrel funds that went to bogus non-government organizations linked to Napoles.
The Sandiganbayan has yet to conclude the hearings on the senators' petitions to post bail.