Revilla surrenders

Video by Jersy Hortaleza

MANILA, Philippines – Senator Ramon Revilla Jr. turned himself in to the Sandiganbayan on Friday.

Revilla has been charged with plunder, a non-bailable offense, and graft  for his alleged involvement in the “pork barrel” scam.

Senator Ramon Revilla Jr. INQUIRER/ MARIANNE BERMUDEZ

Revilla, who belongs to a powerful political clan and is a famous movie and TV celebrity, arrived in a convoy of SUVs with his wife, children and fans at the Sandiganbayan anti-graft court in suburban Quezon city.

He was to be taken later to police headquarters, where his fingerprints and mug shots will be taken before his detention.

Revilla is one of three influential senators indicted early this month for allegedly receiving huge kickbacks from state anti-poverty and development funds.

The Ombudsman, in indicting the senator, said the movie actor-turned-politician collected P224.512 million kickbacks from 2006 to 2010 from the alleged illegal disbursement of his Priority Development Assistance Funds.

Also charged were Senators Juan Ponce Enrile and Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada, alleged “pork” scam  mastermind Janet Lim-Napoles, and other individuals.

But Revilla’s lawyer, Joel Bodegon, said the senator   did not surrender but merely submitted himself to the court because the warrant of arrest has not been served yet.

As of press time, Revilla is in the court’s sheriff office for the processing of his “submission,” Bodegon said. With  reports from AP

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Revilla surrenders