MANILA, Philippines—Government prosecutors received a dressing down from the Sandiganbayan justices for submitting a list of their witness only on the same day of the bail hearing of Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. who is currently detained for plunder over the pork barrel scam.
During Thursday’s trial, Revilla’s lawyer Joel Bodegon said they have yet to receive the prosecution’s list of witnesses which they needed to prepare for the trial.
The prosecutors said the list was submitted to the court Thursday morning, before the trial started at 8:30 in the morning.
Atty. Stephen David. INQUIRER.net FILE PHOTO
“We asked for the list of witnesses so the court can also be ready but you just presented the list now,” Associate Justice Efren De la Cruz said.
The defense already submitted their list early this week.
Revilla’s lawyer as well as Atty. Stephen David, counsel for Napoles, also questioned why the prosecutors will not present first the whistleblowers considering that the government should first present their strongest witness because bail hearing is summary in nature.
Instead, the prosecutors are presenting officers from the Commission on Audit, Department of Budget and Management who will only authenticate their signatures in the documents.
“I do not want to meddle in your strategy but shouldn’t you be presenting the whistleblowers first,” Associate Justice Rafael Lagos asked.
“You are not presenting Benhur Luy, Merlina Sunas etc.? Baka magka problema kayo nyan,” Lagos said.
But the prosecutors said they would present the whistleblowers during next Thursday’s hearing.
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