ClydeE.

Tan

201117748

Enrilev.SandiganbayanG.R.No.213847
DateofPromulgation:August18,2015
Ponente:Bersamin,J
Petition:Certiorari
Petitioner:JuanPonceEnrile
Respondents:Sandiganbayan(ThirdDivision),andPeopleofthePhilippines
Facts:
OnJune5,2014SenatorJuanPonceEnrilewaschargedbytheOfficeoftheOmbudsmanwith
plunderintheSandiganbayanonthebasisofhispurportedinvolvementinthediversionand
misuseofappropriationsunderthePriorityDevelopmentAssistanceFund(PDAF).Thecaseisa
petitionforcertioraritoannulthedecisionoftheSandiganbayandenyinghisMotiontofixbail
andMotionforReconsiderationonthefollowinggrounds:(a)Theprosecutionfailedtoshow
conclusivelythatEnrile,ifeverconvicted,ispunishablebyreclusionperpetua;(b)The
prosecutionfailedtoshowthatevidenceofEnrilesguiltisstrong;(c)Enrileisnotaflightrisk.
Issue:
WhetherornotEnrilecanbailYES
Ruling:
1. Thepurposeofthebailistoguaranteetheappearanceoftheaccusedatthetrial.
2. ItisthePhilippinesresponsibilityintheinternationalcommunityundertheUniversal
DeclarationofHumanRights.ofprotectingandpromotingtherightofeveryperson
tolibertyanddueprocessundertheobligationtomakeavailabletoeverypersonunder
detentionsuchremedieswhichsafeguardtheirfundamentalrighttoliberty.These
remediesincludetherighttobeadmittedtobail.
3. Enrileisnotaflightriskbecauseofhissocialandpoliticalstandingandhishaving
immediatelysurrenderedtotheauthoritiesuponbeingchargedincourt.
4. ThecurrentlyfragilestateofEnrileshealthisacompellingjustificationforhis
admissiontobail.(Chronichypertension,diffuseatheroscleroticcardiovasculardisease,
AtrialandVentricularArrhythmia,etc.)

DissentingOpinionofJusticeMarvicM.V.F.Leonen
Bailisnotamatterofrightincaseswherethecrimechargedisplunderandthe
imposablepenaltyisreclusionperpetua.Thegrantofbailisaspecialaccommodationfor
thepetitioner.
Theprosecutionshouldhavebeengiventheopportunitytorebuttheallegationthat
petitionersuffersfrommedicalconditions.
Theinvocationofageneralhumanrightsprincipledoesnotprovideclearlegalbasisfor
thegrantofbailonhumanitariangrounds.ItisneitherpresentlyprovidedinourRulesof
CourtnorfoundinanystatueorprovisionoftheConstitution.Thissetsadangerous
precedentforthegrantingofbailonthebasisofhumanitarianconditions,whichis
determinedbythepersonaldiscretionofthetrialjudge.
Thegrantofprovisionallibertytopetitionerwithoutanydeterminationofwhetherthe
evidenceofguiltisstrongviolatestheclearandunambiguoustextoftheconstitution.