Enrile serves as lawyer for Imee Marcos in tobacco excise tax probe

Former Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile on Tuesday attended the House inquiry on the Ilocos Norte provincial government's alleged anomalous purchase of motor vehicles using its tobacco excise tax shares, to serve as Governor Imee Marcos's counsel.

"I was requested by the gov to assist her in this proceeding. I'm rendering this service to her pro-bono and in grateful appreciation and obligation to her deceased father, former President Ferdinand Marcos, whom I served under in various capacities," Enrile said during the start of Tuesday's inquiry.

Ernile served as President Marcos' defense minister until the latter's ouster as president during the 1986 EDSA uprising. At the time, Enrile had broken his ties with the late strongman.

Marcos sits beside Enrile, whom she asked to help her today. pic.twitter.com/YewVbOHzU7

— Erwin Colcol (@erwincolcol) July 25, 2017

The House committee on good government and public accountability is investigating the provincial government's alleged use of its tobacco excise tax shares to purchase P66.45 million worth of minicabs, buses and minitrucks for various municipalities when the fund was clearly intended for livelihood projects for tobacco farmers.

Marcos attended the hearing, and sat beside Enrile and her mother, Ilocos Norte Rep. Imelda Marcos.

Enrile said that while he is offering help to Imee, he does not have an interest in the proceeding.

"I have no interest in this inquiry but to assist the person," he said.

"It is my fervent hope that even though I'm no longer a member of  Congress, I could still contribute something deeper," he added.

Aside from Enrile, former Solicitor General Estelito Mendoza is also serving as a lawyer for Imee Marcos.

Majority Leader Rodolfo Farinas, who initiated the probe, commented that Imee Marcos must be in deep trouble to hire such lawyers.

"She must be in real deep s*** to have Titong Mendoza and JPE in her corner. And, I thought everything was legal!" he said. — RSJ/KVD, GMA News