Court warns Revilla’s lawyer for giving media interviews
Arraignment of Senator Bong Revilla at the Sandiganbayan First Division for plunder charges. With him is Atty. Joel Bodegon. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO/LYN RILLON
MANILA, Philippines — The lawyer of Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. soon may no longer be as media-savvy as his client.
This after the Sandiganbayan first division on Thursday warned Atty. Joel Bodegon that it would impose a gag order on him for airing his opinions during his interviews to the media.
“We are not happy that your are giving interviews to the media. You are giving opinion to the merits of the case. That is subjudice,” division chair Associate Justice Efren Dela Cruz said in a hearing.
“We ask for your cooperation before we issue a gag order,” he added.
Meanwhile, division member Associate Rafael Lagos added that Bodegon’s opinion “affects everything” about the proceedings.
“We respect you, but you should respect the court,” Dela Cruz said.
Bodegon acknowledged the court’s comments.
Bodegon is representing Revilla, who had given statements to the media before he surrendered to the police on plunder charges for his alleged involvement in the pork barrel scam.
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