Senator Juan Ponce Enrile asks Supreme
Court to stop his 90—day suspension in relation with the charges that he is
facing before the Sandiganbayan in connection with "pork barrel" scam.
A 47pages petition certiorari, Senator
Enrile urged high court to restrain Sandiganbayan 3rd Division from imposing the
suspension order to the senator.
Senator Enrile asked the
immediate issuance of SQAO (status quo ante order) or a temporary restraining
order on his recent suspension.
He stressed that he still remain
innocent as Sandiganbayan continues to hear plunder and graft charges to him and
has not yet issued ruling.
"Enrile should enjoy full civil
and political rights, and as the most senior member of the Senate, and, perhaps
the entire Congress, who is also its Minority Leader, and therefore, is an ex
officio member of all permanent committees of the Senate," his
petition read.
Enrile argued those who voted him
into office would "stand to suffer great and irreparable injury"
unless his suspension will be lifted.
Enrile stressed that Sandiganbayan
cannot suspend member of legislature, a co—equal branch, by virtue of separation
of powers among three branches of the government.
He said that the power to suspend
him rests with the Senate.
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