MIRIAM SEEKS SUMMARY BAIL PROCEDURE

Sen. Miriam Defensor Santiago has made what she called "a bold but rules-based prediction" that the Ombudsman will deny the three motions for reconsideration filed separately by three senators against whom she found probable cause for the crime of plunder.

"As a former RTC judge, I take the humble opinion that the separate motions did not present any new evidence or any new argument. Therefore, like most courts do with pro forma motions for reconsideration, the Ombudsman should consider them as sham, dilatory, and frivolous," Santiago said at a commencement speech at Baliwag Polytechnic College, Bulacan, yesterday, 8 May 2014.

"When the Ombudsman denies the motions, the next step is to file the complaints in court. Automatically, the filing of the complaints will trigger the issuance of warrants of arrest," she said.

Santiago said that although plunder is nonbailable, the accused will be allowed to file motions for bail, to determine whether the evidence of guilt is weak or strong. If evidence is strong, the accused will be denied bail and will have to stay in jail.

"I humbly urge the Sandigan court to hear the motions for bail in a summary procedure, so that if evidence of guilt is strong, the accused shall be held in detention as soon as possible to prevent them from going AWOL or engaging in terrorist tactics to distract the public," she said.