Enrile 'volunteered' to join prosecution team against Sereno

MANILA, Philippines — It was Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile who, facing a plunder case himself, volunteered to be part of the prosecution team against Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno once the complaint reaches the Senate for trial, said Rep. Reynaldo Umali (Oriental Mindoro).

"There are no strings to his volunteering services. He wants to do it for the sake of the nation," Umali told CNN Philippines when asked about what Enrile could gain in joining the prosecution team.

"For that, I salute him for being a nationalist and patriot," added Umali, who chaired the House justice committee that claimed probable cause last week to proceed with Sereno's impeachment.

Enrile, now 94, was a Senate president under the previous Aquino administration before he was charged placed under hospital arrest for allegedly pocketing millions in pork barrel funds.

Umali said that despite having a pending plunder case before the Sandiganbayan, Enrile, a veteran lawyer, can defend himself.

The solon cited how Enrile was able to get himself out of jail on bail through his efforts that not did require any intervention from Congress.

In August 2015, then senator Enrile was allowed to post bail due to his health condition and for "humanitarian" reasons.

Why Enrile?

Umali, in a separate interview on ANC, said has "so much institutional memory of impeachment and constitutional law" having been the presiding judge when former Chief Justice Renato Corona was impeached in 2012.

Corona's impeachment case was on the basis of failure to disclose some of his state of assets, liabilities and net worth. Sereno is also accused of hidden wealth, among others.

Still, House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez and Majority Leader Floor Rodolfo "Rudy" Fariñas Sr. have yet to confirm Enrile's offer to be part of the team against the embattled chief justice.

Umali believers, meanwhile, that nonagenarian lawmaker will have great contributions to the case but may not lead the team with his age.

In this March 1, 2017 photo, President Rodrigo Duterte discuss matters with former denator Juan Ponce Enrile at Malacañan Palace. PPD/Richard Madelo

"He's more than 90 years old. I don't know if he can still stand the difficulties of the prosecution. But definitely, his mind is still sharp," Umali said.

Aside from Enrile, Umali disclosed that the House of Representatives is reviewing the list of those who can join the prosecution team. He said there are currently 40 names on it.

The solon said they are looking into the legal counsels' litigation and impeachment trial experience as well as expertise in certain disciplines in pursuing some of charges that form part of the articles of impeachment.