Revilla to ask Sandigan to stop arrest over ‘pork’ scam

Facade of Sandiganbayan, Senator Ramon Revilla, Jr. (inset). INQUIRER.net FILE PHOTOS

MANILA, Philippines – Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. will ask the Sandiganbayan to stop the issuance of a warrant of arrest against him in connection with the “pork barrel” scam, his lawyer said on Friday.

Revilla’s lawyer, Joel Bodegon, said they would file a “motion for judicial determination of probable cause and deferment or suspension of proceedings” at the Sandiganbayan. He did not say when.

“We’re questioning the filing of the Information, and asking the Sandiganbayan not to issue warrant of arrest until it shall have determined the issue,” Bodegon said in a text message.

“We believe, as Senator Bong Revilla has said from the beginning, that there is no case against him,” he added.

After Sandiganbayan, Bodegon said, they would file another petition at the Supreme Court.

Asked what kind of petition they would file at the high tribunal, the lawyer said: “The issues we are raising with the Sandiganbayan may be among the issues we shall be raising with the SC. We are still configuring our SC petition.”

“Magkaiba kasi yung Sandiganbayan at SC [There’s a difference between the Sandiganbayan and SC]. Sa Sandiganbayan [At the Sandiganbayan], we are attacking the Information filed by the Ombudsman. With the SC, it is the resolution of probable cause and resolution denying our motion for reconsideration by the Ombudsman,” Bodegon added.

He was referring to decision of the Office of the Ombudsman Thursday, junking an appeal by Revilla, and Senators Juan Ponce-Enrile, and Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada, to dismiss the plunder and anti-graft charges against them in connection with the scam.

Revilla, in a statement Thursday, said he “accepted and expected” the decision of the Ombudsman.

“I have accepted and really expected their decision to ignore our motion for reconsideration because they have nothing to gain and they didn’t even read our appeal,” said Revilla in Filipino.

RELATED STORIES

3 senators face arrest

Arrest of Enrile, Revilla, Estrada imminent—Santiago

Enrile studying his case; Estrada ‘immune’; Revilla leaves it to God