Sen. Sergio Osmeña III. FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines – At least three senators have signed the draft report of the Senate blue ribbon committee, recommending among others, the filing of criminal charges against Senators Juan Ponce-Enrile, Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada, and Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr in connection with the pork barrel scam.
The three senators who signed the draft report were Senators Serge Osmeña III, Antonio Trillanes IV, and Bam Aquino. All of them belong to the majority bloc in the Senate.
“Signed it, yesterday (Tuesday) pa,” Osmeña said in a text message.
Trillanes and Aquino, in separate text messages, also confirmed signing the draft report.
Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero, who initiated the investigation on the scam, said he has yet to read the report before making a decision.
Estrada’s half-brother, Senator JV Ejercito, said he also wants to read the report first but said he might indicate some reservations on some of its provisions. Both Estrada and Ejercito belong to the minority bloc.
Escudero said the report must be signed by the majority members of the committee before it could be transmitted to plenary for approval but the minority group may also come up with its own report on the issue.
“Kung sino ang mas maraming pirma sa komite, yun ang magiging report ng committee na isusumite sa Senado,” he said.
While the Office of the Ombudsman has ruled that there was enough basis to file charges against Enrile, Estrada, Revilla and other personalities involved in the scam, the report also recommended the possible disbarment proceedings against the lawyers involved in the scam like Enrile and his former chief of staff, lawyer Jessica “Gigi” Reyes as well as possible ethics investigation against the three senators.
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