Sandigan denies Reyes’ motion for leave to file demurrer

The Sandiganbayan has denied a motion for reconsideration to a court's denial for leave to file demurrer of lawyer Gigi Reyes, the former chief of staff of ex-Senate president Juan Ponce Enrile, in connection with the alleged misuse of the latter's P172.8-million pork barrel funds.

In a 3-page resolution of the proceedings on 17 October, the Sandiganbayan Third Division denied, among others, Reyes' motion for reconsideration of the previous resolution that did not grant her motion for leave of court to file demurrer to evidence.

Reyes is accused over her alleged involvement in the funneling of the erstwhile senator's P172.8-million Priority Development Assistance Fund or pork barrel into bogus non-governmental organization projects associated with businesswoman Janet Napoles — the alleged pork barrel mastermind —  from 2006 to 2010.

She was charged with plunder and 15 counts of graft.

Pork barrel is a scheme where lawmakers' discretionary funds were released to bogus NGOs and beneficiaries in exchange for kickbacks or commissions.

It was declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court in 2013 after it became a source of corruption.

Supreme Court granted Enrile temporary release from detention due to his poor health and old age.