Public officials tagged in ‘pork’ scam may be suspended

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

MANILA, Philippines — Public officials, including the three senators allegedly involved in the “pork barrel” scam will be automatically suspended from their posts once a petition to suspend them is filed before the Sandiganbayan, Senate President Franklin Drilon said on Tuesday.

The three senators facing plunder and graft charges in connection with the “pork barrel” scam are Juan Ponce Enrile, Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada and Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr.

“Unang-una, ang Sandiganbayan ay may kapangyarihang mag issue ng warrant of arrest. Ito po ay non bailable offense kaya po ang mangayayari ay they will be detained,” Drilon said in a radio interview.

(First and foremost, the Sandiganbayan has the power to issue a warrant of arrest. This is a non-bailable offense so what will happen is that they will be detained)

“At sang-ayon sa Korte Suprema, sa kaso ni Governor Deloso, ‘yan po upon the filing by the prosecution of the appropriate decision, masusupende po ang public officials na nasampahan ng kaso,” he said.

(And according to the Supreme Court, in the case of Governor Deloso, upon the filing by the prosecution of the appropriate decision, the public officials charged will be suspended)

Drilon said the same will happen once the charges against those involved in the scam have been filed at the Sandiganbayan.

“Unang-una, uulitin ko, may kapangyarihan ang Sandiganbayan na mag-issue ng warrant of arrest, at ito po ay non bailable offense. Pangalawa, ‘yan po ay may automatic suspension the moment mag-file ang Ombudsman ng petition to suspend those accused public officials,” he said.

(First and foremost, I repeat, the Sandiganbayan has the power to issue a warrant of arrest, and this is a non-bailable offense. Second, there’s automatic suspension the moment the Ombudsmaan files a petition to suspend those accused public officials.)

Asked if there were no longer actions needed from the Senate, Drilon said: “Wala na pong kailangan dahil Sandiganbayan ang mag- issue ng suspension order.”

(Nothing because the Sandiganbayan will issue the suspension order)

“I’m sure that the Sandiganbayan will act, we have to act on it. ‘Yan po ay tungkulin nila. Hintayin na lang natin ang aksyon ng Ombudsman on the motion for reconsideration na na- file noong first week of April,” the Senate leader added.

(I’m sure that the Sandiganbayan will act, we have to act on it. That’s their duty. Let’s just wait the action of the Ombudsman on the motion for reconsideration that was filed first week of April.)

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