Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines—Malacañang urged the public on Saturday to reflect on the impact of the proceedings against Sen. Bong Revilla and the others accused in the pork barrel scam.
Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said all Filipinos must realize that accountability is built into the country’s institutions.
“Just as no Filipino is above the law, all Filipinos are accorded constitutional rights, to be respected within a system of justice and fairness that will accomplish the ultimate goal of finding the truth,” Valte said.
She also assured the public that the government has many options in bringing back respondents in the pork barrel cases who have fled the country
“We can ask for the cancellation of their passports, if that will be asked by the Office of the Ombudsman. [We also have] extradition treaties [with other countries],” Valte said.
Former Technology Resource Center (TRC) Director General Antonio Ortiz and Napoles’ employee Renato Ornopia, both charged with graft over the pork barrel scam, left the country before the Sandiganbayan could issue an order to prevent them from traveling last week. TJ Burgonio
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