‘Pork’ scam case won’t affect Revilla senatorial bid, defense lawyer says

A defense lawyer of detained former Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. on Friday said not even a pending plunder case can hinder his client from seeking another six-year term in the Senate.

Lawyer Ramon Esguerra said Revilla can still run for office despite the looming decision of the Sandiganbayan on his case for alleged amassing of ill-gotten wealth worth P224.5 million by channeling his pork barrel funds to the fake foundations of alleged mastermind Janet Lim Napoles.

This comes after the Lakas-Christian Muslims Democrats announced the candidacy of Revilla for the 2019 elections. 

Even if the Sandiganbayan finds Revilla guilty, Esguerra said the former lawmaker can still continue his senatorial bid since the decision can still be appealed at the Supreme Court.

“He may still run because he can still appeal the decision before the Sandiganbayan or the Supreme Court. Unless the decision becomes final and executory, a conviction will not automatically disqualify him from running,” Esguerra said in a statement.

The case of Revilla has been submitted for resolution following the submission of both parties’ closing arguments on September 11. 

Revilla remains detained at the Philippine National Police Custodial Center in Camp Crame, but Esguerra said he can file for a furlough allowing him to hold campaign sorties.

Esguerra, nonetheless, acknowledged that this still depends on the discretion of the Sandiganbayan.

“It will depend entirely on the sound discretion of the Sandiganbayan assuming that the case is still pending come the campaign period. Ultimately, it will be the Sandiganbayan which will decide whether there is ground to grant a furlough,” Esguerra said. — RSJ, GMA News