Sandigan defers issuance of arrest warrant vs Revilla

Sen. Ramon “Bong” Revilla. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—The Sandiganbayan first division on Thursday deferred the issuance of a warrant of arrest against Senator Ramon Revilla Jr. and his co-accused for tomorrow, Friday.

This is because the warrant needs to be signed by division chair Associate Justice Efren Dela Cruz, according to division clerk of court Atty. Stella Rosete.

She said she left the arrest warrant on the Dela Cruz’s desk for signing but the justice was no longer present.

Rosete said they would issue a signed warrant tomorrow, Friday.

This after the division found probable cause to issue an arrest warrant against Revilla and his co-accused.

The Ombudsman, in indicting the lawmaker, said the movie actor-turned-senator collected P224.512 million kickbacks from 2006 to 2010 from the alleged illegal disbursement of his Priority Development Assistance Funds.

Revilla faces one count of plunder and 16 counts of graft.

The pork barrel scam is an elaborate scheme of allegedly diverting billions of public funds to ghost projects for kickbacks.

RELATED STORIES

Revilla wants to surrender to Sandigan—lawyer

Sandiganbayan finds probable cause vs Revilla