In a significant judicial development, the Sandiganbayan Special Third Division has fully acquitted Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Juan Ponce Enrile, his former chief-of-staff Jessica “Gigi” Reyes, businesswoman Janet Lim Napoles, and a host of others on 15 counts of graft. The charges stemmed from the alleged misuse of PHP172 million (approximately $3 million USD) from Enrile’s Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) between 2007 and 2009.
The acquittal, detailed in a comprehensive 192-page decision released on Friday, marks a major legal victory for the prominent political figures involved in the long-running case, often considered a key component of the wider PDAF scam investigations.
Failure to Prove Guilt Beyond Reasonable Doubt
The anti-graft court was unequivocal in its finding, stating that the prosecution ultimately “failed to prove the guilt of the accused beyond reasonable doubt.” This judicial conclusion centers on the constitutional principle of the presumption of innocence, which the court found the evidence presented was insufficient to overturn.
The court’s reasoning dissected the evidence presented, emphasizing that while the conduct of the public officers may have fallen short of ideal ethical standards, not every perceived irregularity constitutes a violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act (Republic Act No. 3019).
The decision highlighted a critical evidentiary gap in the prosecution’s case:
“In the absence of concrete and credible proof that the accused public officers and employees actually received cash intended as kickbacks, rebates, or commissions, it cannot be concluded that a violation of Section 3(e) of RA No. 3019 has been sufficiently established in these cases.”
The court stressed that the evidence, as presented, “does not pass the test of moral certainty,” underscoring the high burden of proof required in criminal proceedings.
The Scope of the Acquittal
The ruling extended beyond the primary figures, resulting in the acquittal of all individuals charged in relation to the 15 graft counts.
Those likewise cleared of all charges include:
Public Officials and Employees:
Jose Antonio Valera Evangelista II, Enrile’s former deputy chief of staff.
Mario Loquellano Relampagos, former Department of Budget and Management (DBM) undersecretary for operations.
DBM employees Rosario Salamida Nunez, Lalaine Narag Paule, and Marilou Dialino Bare.
Dennis Lacson Cunanan, former Technology Resource Center (TRC) director general.
TRC officials Francisco Baldoza Figura, Maria Rosalinda Masongsong Lacsamana, and Marivic Villaluz Jover.
Private Individuals:
Jo Christine Lim Napoles and James Christopher Lim Napoles (relatives of Janet Lim Napoles).
Evelyn Ditchon De Leon, Nitz Tuangco Cabilao, and Mylene Tagayon Encarnacion.
Legal and Political Ramifications
This acquittal has massive implications, particularly for Juan Ponce Enrile, a veteran political figure who currently serves as the Chief Presidential Legal Counsel. Despite facing years of legal scrutiny over the PDAF allegations, this ruling effectively clears him of the 15 criminal counts related to his alleged role in the scheme during his time as a Senator.
For Jessica “Gigi” Reyes, who had been detained for years in connection with these and related charges, the acquittal is a decisive turn in her legal battle.
The ruling also significantly impacts the overall narrative surrounding the Janet Lim Napoles PDAF scam, challenging the prosecution’s ability to secure convictions in cases where direct evidence of kickbacks is deemed insufficient by the court. The Sandiganbayan’s emphasis on the necessity of “concrete and credible proof” of cash receipts serves as a high benchmark for future anti-graft prosecutions involving public funds.
The decision allows the accused to move forward without the shadow of the grave criminal charges, though it will undoubtedly reignite public debate about accountability and the complexity of proving corruption cases beyond a reasonable doubt in the Philippines.