Senators facing plunder may be arrested within the year

Senators Juan Ponce Enrile, Jinggoy Estrada and Ramon Revilla Jr. INQUIRER FILE PHOTOS

MANILA, Philippines – A “roadmap” presented by Malacañang on Wednesday showed that the Sandiganbayan may issue a warrant of arrest to Senators Juan Ponce Enrile, Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. and Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada within the year.

Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma showed media a presentation on how the case will proceed now that the Office of the Ombudsman has recommended that the three lawmakers and several other people should be charged with plunder before the Sandiganbayan.

Below are the steps presented:

1.     Under the law, each and every one of the respondents is given five days from receipt of the Ombudsman’s resolution to file a Motion for Reconsideration;

2.     The Ombudsman will evaluate and resolve such motions up to a maximum of 60 days;

3.     The Ombudsman will file the information with the Sandiganbayan;

4.     The case will then be raffled-off to one of the five divisions of the Sandiganbayan (each division has three justices);

5.     Upon evaluation of the information and the records of the case, the Court will issue warrants of arrest. (The issuance of the warrants of arrest ensures that the Court acquires jurisdiction over the person of the accused.)

6.     Trial will commence.

 With the Ombudsman constrained to file the case before the Sandiganbayan within 60 days after the respondents file their motion for reconsideration, it may take only several months later for the anti-graft court to raffle the case and issue a warrant of arrest.

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