WHAT WENT BEFORE: The P10-billion pork barrel scam

In June 2014, the Office of the Ombudsman indicted then Senators Juan Ponce Enrile, Jinggoy Estrada and Bong Revilla for plunder and multiple counts of graft in connection with the pork barrel scam.

The P10-billion pork barrel scam, first reported on by the Inquirer in 2013, involved the use of nongovernment organizations (NGOs) to channel money from the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) allocations of lawmakers to fictitious projects over 10 years.

Janet Lim-Napoles, the businesswoman who allegedly masterminded the scam, was named a coaccused. She is held at the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology detention center in Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig City.

Revilla was accused of plunder and 16 counts of graft after allegedly pocketing P224.5 million in kickbacks, the biggest among the three senators.

Estrada was accused of plunder and 11 counts of graft for allegedly accepting P183 million in kickbacks from his PDAF allocations from 2004 to 2010.

Enrile was accused of receiving P172.8 million in kickbacks from his PDAF allocations.

He also faces 15 counts of graft for the alleged misuse of the PDAF.

Surrender, detention

After warrants for their arrest were issued, the three senators surrendered and Enrile was detained at the Philippine National Police General Hospital while Estrada and Revilla were detained at the PNP Custodial Center, both  in Camp Crame.

Citing his advanced age and poor health, the Supreme Court granted bail to Enrile in August 2015.

In April 2017, the Sandiganbayan’s Third Division denied Enrile’s appeal to throw out the charge on the grounds that the allegations did not constitute the elements of a valid plunder case.

Estrada won his bail petition in September 2017 but a separate graft trial denied his motion to dismiss the case.

Revilla’s case was the first to go to trial, which began in June 2017.

He remains detained at Camp Crame. —INQUIRER RESEARCH

Source: Inquirer Archives