Philippines to File Corruption Charges Against Ex-Hero Enrile

The Philippine government said Tuesday it will file corruption charges accusing opposition leader Juan Ponce Enrile, a former hero of the “people power” revolution that ousted Ferdinand E. Marcos, of taking part in massive theft from the government under the former president.

Orlando Romero of the Presidential Commission on Good Government said that Enrile will face charges citing his role in the coconut industry and a telecommunications group.

Enrile was the Marcos defense minister who revolted in February, 1985, sparking a popular uprising that sent Marcos into exile and Corazon Aquino into the presidential palace. Enrile, a Harvard-trained lawyer, later was fired from the Aquino Cabinet after troops loyal to him were implicated in a failed coup attempt.

The commission was established by President Corazon Aquino to recover billions of dollars believed stolen by Marcos and his associates during 20 years in power.

Cases filed Tuesday named 11 people, including Marcos and his wife, Imelda, raising to $30 billion the amount of damages it is seeking from the former president and his immediate family.