The Palace said on Friday that it respects the Sandiganbayan’s decision to acquit former Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Juan Ponce Enrile, his aide Gigi Reyes, and businesswoman Janet Napoles of their graft cases in connection with the notorious Pork Barrel or PDAF Scam.

In a press briefing, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the court has spoken, and the President respects the magistrates’ decision, according to RH 14 Leth Narciso.

Castro explained that this demonstrates the reason the President wants cases to be filed not hastily, but thoroughly and with complete evidence, to prevent the acquittal of the accused.

“Iyon nga po ang nais nating ipahiwatig sa taumbayan—ang Pangulo, ang gusto niya kapag nagsampa ng kaso hindi mabilisan, dapat kumpleto ang ebidensya dahil kapag nagkataon kaunti lamang pagkakamali especially criminal case ito any doubt at kapag hindi po naakusahan or nagkaroon ng judgment beyond reasonable doubt talaga pong magkakaroon ng acquittal,” she said.

This comes in response to concerns that the integrity of the justice system may be questioned, given that no one involved in major cases like the Pork Barrel Scam has been held accountable.

Castro also underscored the separation of powers between the executive and judicial branches, noting that neither may influence the other.

Earlier, Enrile was cleared of his 15 graft charges in relation to the alleged diversion of ₱172.8 million of his pork barrel funds by the anti-graft court.