Colleagues won’t force Enrile, Estrada, Revilla to go on leave

Senators Juan Ponce Enrile, Jinggoy Estrada and Ramon Revilla Jr. INQUIRER FILE PHOTOS

MANILA, Philippines—Senate President Franklin Drilon is now leaving it up to the conscience of the three senators, facings plunder charges in connection with the pork barrel scam, whether or not to take a leave of absence from the Senate.

The three were Senators Juan Ponce-Enrile, Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada, and Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr.

“Well, that is a matter addressed to their conscience, for their own judgement,”  Drilon said in an interview Tuesday when asked if Enrile, Estrada and Revilla should take a leave now that the Office of the Ombudsman found enough basis to charge them in court.

“We must remember that the decision of the Sandiganbayan is still subject for a motion for reconsideration as per procedure at the office of the Ombudsman,” the Senate leader added.

Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero, who initiated the Senate investigation on the “pork barrel” scam, said the issue on whether or not to take a leave would be a “voluntary act” on the part of the three senators.

Escudero said the Senate could not pass a resolution forcing their colleagues to take a leave from the chamber.

“They are free to decide on that. It’s not for me to dictate unless the committee on ethics will be formed once and for all, and comes up with a finding either to suspend them, force them to take a leave, or remove them,” he said in Filipino in an interview over radio on Wednesday.

But Estrada, in a separate radio interview, said he would continue to go to the Senate unless he is suspended by the Sandiganbayan.

“Depende naman sa husgado yan. Depende sa Sandigabayan. Syempre pag inisyuhan kami ng warrant of arrest, paano kami papasok? Ganun lang ‘yun. Ako papasok pa rin ako sa Senado,”

(It depends on the judge. It depends on the Sanidganbayan. Of course if a warrant of arrest is issued against us, how can we go to work? But I will still go to the Senate)

RELATED STORIES

Estrada to appeal plunder, graft raps against him

Senate body recommends plunder raps vs Enrile, Jinggoy Estrada, Revilla