The Daily Manila Shimbun

 

Revilla acquitted of plunder case by Sandiganbayan

December 7, 2018



Former Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. was acquitted Friday by the Sandiganbayan First Division from a plunder case on the pork barrel scam , one of the biggest corruption scandals to hit Philippine politics.

“For failure of the prosecution to establish beyond reasonable doubt that accused Ramon ‘Bong’ Revilla, Jr. received, directly or indirectly the rebates, commission, and kickbacks from his PDAF ( Priority Development Assistance Fund), the court cannot hold him liable for the crime of plunder. Accordingly, he is acquitted,” according to the anti-graft court.

Revilla was charged of plunder and 16 counts of graft for allegedly pocketing P224.5 million in kickbacks from his PDAF using allegedly bogus non-government organizations (NGOs) of alleged pork barrel scam mastermind Janet Lim Napoles.

“I expected a not guilty verdict. I have been saying for a long time I did not commit any crime,” Revilla  told reporters as he posted bail of P480,000 for his temporary liberty on the pending 16 graft cases related to the alleged pork barrel scam.

The anti-graft court found Revilla’s former chief of staff Richard Cambe and Napoles guilty of plunder and sentenced them to reclusion perpetua or imprisonment of at least 20 years and ordered disqualified from holding any public office.

The camp of  Revilla would challenge the portion of the decision that used the word “accused” – which include Revilla, Cambe and Napoles – in ordering the return of P124.5 million to the government.

“Moreover, in view of the discussion above, and pursuant to Article 100 of the Revised Penal Code, accused are held solidarily and jointly liable to return to the National Treasury the amount of One Hundred Twenty-Four Million, Five Hundred Thousand Pesos (P124,500,000.00),” the anti-graft court ordered.

Ramon Esguerra, Revilla’s lawyer, said the former senator cannot be made accountable in the return of the P124.5 million after the anti-graft division acquitted him. DMS