Pending motions prompt Bong Revilla to enter no plea

Senator Ramon ‘Bong’ Revilla. NOY MORCOSO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines—Senator Ramon Revilla Jr. did not enter a plea before the Sandiganbayan for his plunder and graft charges on Thursday so as not to prejudice their pending motions, his lawyer said.

Atty. Joel Bodegon said they filed a pending motion for certiorari and prohibition before the Supreme Court questioning the indictment of Revilla by the Ombudsman.

Bodegon also said they filed a motion of reconsideration before the Sandiganbayan on their finding probable cause to hold the senator on trial.

They also filed a petition for bail and a motion to suspend proceedings based on prejudicial question.

The anti-graft first division allowed Revilla to defend his motion for bail.

“He refused to enter any plea because of the pending matters that otherwise will be rendered moot and academic,” Bodegon told reporters after the arraignment.

The court entered a not guilty plea for Revilla on Thursday. Revilla led the 16 pork barrel scam suspects in their arraignment over their plunder and graft raps.

The Sandiganbayan is hearing the biggest corruption scandal under the current administration – the alleged pillaging of public funds to ghost projects for kickbacks through the bogus foundations of alleged mastermind Napoles.

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