Pork scam suspects don’t want surprises in bail hearings

MANILA, Philippines—The defense counsels of the pork barrel scam suspects do not want surprises on who the prosecutors will present as witnesses in proving that the evidence of guilt is strong.

The defense maintained this before the Sandiganbayan Fifth Division on Tuesday during the bail motion hearing of Senator Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada and alleged pork barrel scam mastermind Janet Lim-Napoles.

Estrada’s lawyer Jose Flaminiano said they filed a motion directing the prosecutors to describe the purpose and substance of the testimonies of the prosecution’s proposed witnesses.

But the prosecuting panel led by Danilo Lopez said the defense’s request to present a list of witnesses is premature.

Atty. Stephen David. INQUIRER.net FILE PHOTO

Napoles’ lawyer Stephen David also told the court they wanted to be provided a list of witnesses so they could prepare the questions for interpolation.

The court eventually ordered prosecutors to provide the defense copies of the sworn affidavits of the witnesses they intend to field to the witness stand for the bail hearing.

After the hearing, Napoles’ lawyer David said they do not want surprises in the presentation of witnesses.

“Ayoko ng surprise. Kailangan bigyan nila kami ng panahon para mapaghandaan (We don’t want surprises. They should give us time to prepare),” David said.

David cited the bail hearing of Senator Ramon Revilla Jr. set on Thursday, when principal whistleblowers Benhur Luy, Merlina Sunas and Marina Sula are expected to attend as witnesses.

David said since they were informed of the witnesses, he was able to prepare way ahead of Revilla’s bail hearing.

Meanwhile, Estrada’s lawyer Alexis Abastillas- Suarez said the prosecution should provide them the list of witnesses they intend to present for the bail hearing only, and not all 21 witnesses they wrote in their pre-trial brief.

“How can we abbreviate the proceedings with these many witnesses? Why not abbreviate proceedings?” Suarez said in Filipino.

She added that since these witnesses had already presented sworn affidavits during the Ombudsman’s preliminary investigation, copies of these affidavits should also be furnished to the defense.

Revilla and Napoles face plunder and graft charges for allegedly pillaging public funds through Napoles’ bogus foundations.

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