After years of court hearings, accusations, and public outrage, the Sandiganbayan has officially acquitted former Senate President and current Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Juan Ponce Enrile of his remaining graft charges connected to the infamous Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) or “pork barrel” scam.

In a ruling that has once again stirred debate on justice and accountability in the Philippines, the anti-graft court’s Special Third Division cleared Enrile, his former chief of staff Jessica Lucila “Gigi” Reyes, and alleged pork barrel scam mastermind Janet Lim Napoles of 15 counts of graft.

The Sandiganbayan stated that “the prosecution failed to prove their guilt beyond a reasonable doubt,” effectively bringing to a close one of the country’s most high-profile corruption cases that began over a decade ago.

This comes nearly a year after the same court acquitted Enrile of plunder on October 4, 2024, citing insufficient proof that he received at least P50 million in kickbacks—the threshold amount required under Philippine law to convict an official of plunder.

The PDAF scandal, which erupted in 2013, exposed the alleged misuse of lawmakers’ discretionary funds—money that was supposed to finance development projects in their constituencies. Instead, the funds were reportedly funneled into fake non-governmental organizations (NGOs) linked to Napoles, with kickbacks allegedly handed to several lawmakers in exchange for their cooperation.

At the height of the controversy, Enrile—then serving as Senate President—was accused of funneling P172.8 million from his PDAF allocations between 2004 and 2010 to Napoles’ bogus NGOs. His trusted aide, Gigi Reyes, was likewise implicated as the intermediary who allegedly handled the transactions.

Both Enrile and Reyes maintained their innocence, claiming the charges were politically motivated. Napoles, meanwhile, was branded the “pork barrel queen,” with her name becoming synonymous with corruption in government.

Enrile, Reyes, and Napoles were indicted in 2014. The case sparked massive public outrage and calls for systemic reform in how government funds were allocated. Enrile was briefly detained but later released on bail due to his age and health condition.

Over the years, several co-accused lawmakers and government officials faced similar charges, while others struck plea bargains or were acquitted.

Despite the gravity of the allegations, Enrile’s plunder acquittal in 2024 already signaled a turning point in his legal saga. Now, with his final graft charges dismissed, he stands fully cleared—at least in the eyes of the law.

In its latest decision, the Sandiganbayan reiterated that prosecutors failed to establish direct evidence linking Enrile, Reyes, and Napoles to the misuse of funds. The court underscored that circumstantial evidence alone cannot sustain a conviction in criminal cases, especially those involving allegations of corruption.

“The prosecution failed to prove their guilt beyond a reasonable doubt,” the ruling stated.

The decision also effectively cleared Gigi Reyes, who herself had endured years of detention before being granted temporary liberty by the Supreme Court in 2022.

While supporters of the former Senate President see the ruling as vindication for a man who has spent decades in public service, critics argue that it reinforces the long-standing perception that accountability remains elusive for the powerful.

Enrile, who is now 101 years old, has survived multiple political storms—from martial law to coup attempts to corruption charges—earning him the reputation of a political survivor. His latest acquittal adds another chapter to his legacy, one marked as much by endurance as by controversy.

Political analysts note that the acquittal could reignite public debate over the state of the country’s justice system. For some, it raises the question: How can a case that gripped the nation for years end with all the major players walking free?

The pork barrel scam remains one of the biggest corruption cases in modern Philippine history. It led to the abolition of the PDAF system, sparked street protests, and fueled years of distrust toward politicians.

Yet for many ordinary Filipinos, the final chapter feels incomplete.

“Cases like this test our faith in justice,” one observer commented online. “When the names involved are ordinary people, the system moves fast. But when they’re powerful, the story always ends the same.”

As of now, there are no remaining active graft or plunder cases against Enrile. Having served in government across multiple administrations, he continues to hold a position in the Marcos Jr. administration as Chief Presidential Legal Counsel—a testament to his continued influence even at his advanced age.

Whether this acquittal marks vindication or simply another example of the powerful walking away unscathed, one thing is clear: the public has not forgotten. The pork barrel scandal may now be closed in court, but in the court of public opinion, the verdict is still out.