Cebu group presses for resignations of Enrile, Revilla, Estrada

Senators Juan Ponce Enrile, Jinggoy Estrada and Bong Revilla INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

CEBU CITY, Philippines—A civil society group in Cebu is asking Senators Juan Ponce Enrile, Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. and Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada to resign from office after the Office of the Ombudsman announced it had found probable cause to file plunder charges against them in connection with the P10 billion pork barrel scam.

“All public officials being tried should resign from office, not necessarily as an admission of guilt but so that the truth be known without undue influence,” said a statement issued by the Cebu Coalition against the Pork Barrel System and signed by its convenor, Msgr. Romulo Kintanar.

“At no other time in Philippine history has the reputation of the Senate been as damaged as it is now. The Legislative Branch has been subject to so much distrust from the citizenry,” the statement added.

The coalition said it was time to make an example of the power of the law, and for the legislature to regain the respect it was enjoyed.

“It is time to assure the people that this government functions for the service of the whole country, and not just the people in power,” it added.

The Office of the Ombudsman has found probable cause to indict the three senators, along with businesswoman Janet Lim Napoles, for plunder and graft for their involvement in an operation to funnel pork barrel funds to dummy non-governmental organizations in exchange for kickbacks.

“The Ombudsman has released news that it intends to file plunder and malversation charges against some senators and other respondents, while the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee has only released its draft report recommending the same,” the statement said. “Intent simply precedes action. It is not yet action itself.”

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