MANILA, Philippines - President Benigno Aquino III on Monday questioned the Supreme Court's decision granting bail to Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile due to humanitarian considerations.
"May mga nagkukuwestiyon, ako'y hindi abogado, gusto kong ulitin 'yung kanilang kuwestiyon na parang wala doon sa mga batas natin 'yung grounds na 'yun," Aquino said in a media interview in Cebu. the president said the high court's decision only considered Enrile's advanced age and health and was not based on the evidence presented against him in connection with the pork barrel scam.
"Nilinaw ng desisyon na hindi pinag-uusapan, sa aking pag-unawa, 'yung kalibre o 'yung kalidad ng ebidensya. Bagkus, 'yung kalusugan at edad ni Sen. Enrile ang binigyan ng punto," he added.
Enrile, 91, is facing plunder and graft charges over allegations that he amassed millions of pesos in kickbacks from his pork barrel funds that were purportedly diverted to bogus foundations and projects.
After his surrender to authorities last year, Enrile was detained at the Philippine National Police General Hospital in Camp Crame.
Aquino said Enrile's bail grant is not proof that the government's evidence against those allegedly involved in the pork barrel scam are weak.
He also claimed that Enrile's bail grant will not affect the other cases filed by the government in relation with the pork barrel scam.
"Tuloy-tuloy ang kampanya natin," he said. "Hindi nahihinto at tuloy 'yung paglilitis."
Besides Enrile, Sens. Ramon Revilla Jr. and Jinggoy Estrada, businesswoman Janet Napoles, lawmakers and other several government officials implicated in the pork barrel scam have been charged.