SC cancels oral argument on Revilla plea vs Ombudsman

INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines—The Supreme Court has cancelled its oral argument on Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla bid to stop the Office of the Ombudsman from pursuing the plunder case against him in connection with the pork barrel scam.

Instead, it ordered the Ombudsman to submit a memorandum and explain the issue on the propriety and need for issuing a restraining order.

The high court issued the ruling after Revilla filed the urgent motion for the issuance of a TRO and/or a writ of preliminary injunction last Friday following the Ombudsman’s issuance of a joint resolution last March 28, 2014 finding probable cause to indict him for the crime of plunder.

The senator through his lawyer, Joel Bodegon, said that his petition filed last March 10 would be rendered moot and academic if the Court would not immediately act on it.

Revilla said Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales should have exercised prudence from performing any act that would affect the status of the case considering that the Court has already set it for an oral argument.

Revilla wants the Ombudsman to stop its investigation saying he filed a civil suit against whistleblower Benhur Luy and the outcome of its case could affect the pending case before the Ombudsman.

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