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Enrile dares Miriam to file case before SC over cash gifts


Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile on Tuesday dared Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago to file a case before the Supreme Court if she really thinks he committed grave abuse of discretion in the distribution of Senate funds to senators last December. "If there is a grave abuse of discretion then she can file a case before the Supreme Court, that is the best thing to do," Enrile told reporters during an interview. He was reacting to Santiago's letter to the Commission on Audit saying that by handing out cash gifts and additional funds to senators, Enrile committed an act “tantamount to grave abuse of discretion, amounting to lack or excess of jurisdiction, which can be questioned in the Supreme Court.” Enrile urged Santiago to file a case instead of bringing the issue to the media. "I would suggest to her instead of just talking to the people without putting into action what she believes to be her truth, then she should take the necessary action so that kami naman pinagbibintangan we are given our day to defend ourselves in a proper forum," he said. Santiago, who is currently on indefinite sick leave from the Senate, released the statement a day after Enrile moved to vacate his post amid what he described as "outright lies, distorted information and deliberately misleading phrases." Senators, however, voted 11-3 to retain Enrile. — Kimberly Jane Tan/KBK, GMA News

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