"x x x.
Leonen was among the 4 justices who dissented in the High Tribunal’s ruling on August 18 that allowed Enrile temporary liberty even if he’s facing plunder charges, a typically non-bailable offense. The 17-page majority opinion’s main basis for the ruling is the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
The 3 other dissenters were Sereno herself, as well as Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio and Associate Justice Estela Perlas-Bernabe. Except for Carpio, the dissenters are appointees of President Benigno Aquino III, whose administration filed the plunder charges against Enrile and two other senators in connection with the pork barrel scam.
'Gross distortion'
In his dissenting opinion that was longer than the majority opinion, Leonen said that the ruling prompts one to conclude that “the decision is the result of obvious political accommodation rather than a judicious consideration of the facts and the law.” (READ: #AnimatED: 'Special' treatment for Juan Ponce Enrile)
He also said the case may benefit “one powerful public official at the cost of weakening our legal institutions.” If it applies to this one particular occasion only, then “it amounts to selective justice.” (READ: Let's all get out of jail now)
x x x."
