Aquino may refuse to testify in Revilla’s plunder trial—lawyer

MANILA, Philippines — President Benigno Aquino could opt not to testify at Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla’s plunder trial over the P10-billion pork barrel scam, the dean of the Ateneo de Manila University School of Government said.

“It’s an extension of criminal immunity. You cannot file a criminal suit against the President, you also cannot force the President to testify in a trial hearing,” lawyer Antonio La Viña said in a television interview by Howie Severino on Thursday.

Revilla included Aquino on the list of witnesses he would like to call for his defense.  The list was submitted to the Sandiganbayan on Wednesday.

President Benigno Aquino III. AP FILE PHOTO

“If (Aquino) wanted to, he could. But he could also decline the subpoena. Because if this is allowed, the President might be summoned in every case and he wouldn’t be able to do his work,” La Viña said.

But Cabinet secretaries included in Revilla’s list, such as Interior Secretary Manuel “Mar” Roxas and Budget Secretary Florencio “Butch” Abad, could be subpoenaed, the dean said.

La Viña said Aquino’s mother, the late former President Corazon Aquino, had testified in her libel case against newspaper columnist Louie Beltran.

“It was criticized then. If you can’t be sued, then you should not sue,” he said.

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