Lacson on Bong Revilla acquittal: I feel ‘weak and defeated’

Senator Panfilo Lacson said he was happy but at the same time feels “weak and defeated” by the Sandiganbayan’s acquittal of former Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla III.

The anti-graft court cleared Revilla of plunder charges in connection with the “pork barrel” scam.

READ: Revilla acquitted; Napoles, Cambe convicted of plunder charges

“As a former colleague and friend, I am happy for ex Sen Bong Revilla,” Lacson wrote on Twitter on Friday.

“As a strong advocate against the pork barrel system, I feel weak and defeated,” he said.

But Lacson nevertheless respects the decision of the Sandiganbayan, which he said has “better appreciation of the evidence.”

“At the end of the day, life goes on. Same is true with our individual battles,” he said in another text message.

Revilla was among the legislators charged with plunder during the time of then President Benigno Aquino III.

Two other former senators— Juan Ponce Enrile and Jinggoy Estrada—were also charged for the alleged misuse of their pork barrel or the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) but both were allowed to post bail.

All three— Revilla, Enrile and Estrada— are seeking a Senate comeback in the 2019 elections. /muf

READ: Full copy of Sandiganbayan ruling on Bong Revilla acquittal