GMA Brandtalk
Tracking
Archives
Filtered By: Topstories
News
Sandigan issues arrest warrants vs. Revilla, others in ‘pork’ barrel cases
By AMITA LEGASPI, GMA News
(Updated 11:33 a.m.) As Senator Ramon "Bong" Revilla Jr. prepared to leave his house in Cavite to turn himself over to the Sandiganbayan on Friday morning, the anti-graft court issued the arrest warrants for him and 32 others in relation to the alleged P10-billion pork barrel scam.
Associate Justice Efren dela Cruz arrived at the graft court early to sign the warrants against 33 respondents charged with graft and plunder.
Meanwhile, Revilla's camp asked the Sandiganbayan to grant his petition for bail ad cautelam for the plunder charges he is facing.
Covered by the arrest warrants aside from Revilla were his staff member Richard Cambe, suspected pork barrel mastermind Janet Lim-Napoles, her nephew Ronald John Lim, her driver-bodyguard John Raymund De Asis, and Budget Undersecretary Mario Relampagos.
Agents of the National Bureau of Investigation arrived at the graft court early.
Revilla on the way to Sandiganbayan
Revilla and members of his family left their house in Bacoor, Cavite early Friday and were to hear Mass before heading for the Sandiganbayan in Quezon City.
Supporters of Revilla on Friday morning prayed over him shortly before he left his house.
In an interview with GMA's Unang Hirit, Revilla said there is no need to arrest him as he would turn himself over to the anti-graft court.
The warrants were released a day after the First Division ordered their issuance as division chairman Associate Justice Efren dela Cruz was not able to sign the documents before the end of office hours Thursday.
Of his 32 co-accused, only Janet Lim-Napoles is under detention but for a separate case of serious illegal detention filed by whistleblower Benhur Luy in 2013 before a Makati court. Napoles has been staying at Fort Sto. Domingo in Sta. Rosa, Laguna since September last year.
The First Division ordered the issuance of warrants of arrest on Thursday after finding probable cause in the cases filed by the Ombudsman against the accused. It also denied the motion of Revilla to suspend the proceedings. — With reports from Joel Locsin, Kimberly Jane Tan and Amanda Fernandez/LBG/KG/RSJ, GMA News
Associate Justice Efren dela Cruz arrived at the graft court early to sign the warrants against 33 respondents charged with graft and plunder.
Meanwhile, Revilla's camp asked the Sandiganbayan to grant his petition for bail ad cautelam for the plunder charges he is facing.
Covered by the arrest warrants aside from Revilla were his staff member Richard Cambe, suspected pork barrel mastermind Janet Lim-Napoles, her nephew Ronald John Lim, her driver-bodyguard John Raymund De Asis, and Budget Undersecretary Mario Relampagos.
The tribunal also issued warrants of arrest against Rosario Nuñez, Lalaine Paule, Marilou Bare, Antonio Ortiz, Dennis Cunanan, Francisco Figura, Ma. Rosalinda Lacsamana, Marivic Jover, Myla Ogerio, and Eulogio Rodriguez,
Others ordered arrested were Laarni Uy, Consuelo Espiritu, Evelyn De Leon, Allan Javellana, Encamita Munsod, Maria Julie Johnson, Victor Roman Cacal, Maria Ninez Guanizo, Rhodora Mendoza, Gondolina Amata, Alexis Sevidal, Ofelia Ordonez, Sofia Cruz, Chita Jalandoni, Gregorio Buenaventura, Jocelyn Piorano and Evelyn Sucgang.
In a statement, Presidential Communications Operations Office head Herminio Coloma Jr. said the issuance of warrants of arrest against Revilla and his co-accused is a "significant step forward in the judicial process."
"We believe that through a fair and just trial, accountability will be clearly established and in like manner, those that are innocent will be exonerated. We join the citizenry in hoping that truth and justice will prevail," he said.
Bail
Bail
Justice Dela Cruz recommended a P30,000-bail for the temporary liberty of those accused with graft while no bail was recommended for Revilla, Cambe, Napoles, Lim and De Asis who are all facing plunder charges.
One of the accused, Conchita Jalandoni from the National Livelihood Development Corporation went to the First Division and posted P90,000 for the seven counts of graft cases she is facing. Jalandoni earlier filed a petition to reduce the bail bond for her temporary liberty and the same was granted.
Meanwhile, lawyer Richard Cambe, a staff of Revilla, will also surrender to the court, according to his legal counsel, lawyer Remigio Michael Ancheta.
One of the accused, Conchita Jalandoni from the National Livelihood Development Corporation went to the First Division and posted P90,000 for the seven counts of graft cases she is facing. Jalandoni earlier filed a petition to reduce the bail bond for her temporary liberty and the same was granted.
Meanwhile, lawyer Richard Cambe, a staff of Revilla, will also surrender to the court, according to his legal counsel, lawyer Remigio Michael Ancheta.
A hold departure order has been issued against the 33 last June 13, meaning they cannot leave the country while the cases against them are being tried.
Agents of the National Bureau of Investigation arrived at the graft court early.
Revilla on the way to Sandiganbayan
Revilla and members of his family left their house in Bacoor, Cavite early Friday and were to hear Mass before heading for the Sandiganbayan in Quezon City.
Supporters of Revilla on Friday morning prayed over him shortly before he left his house.
In an interview with GMA's Unang Hirit, Revilla said there is no need to arrest him as he would turn himself over to the anti-graft court.
He added that it is alright with him if he would be handcuffed but the arresting officers should not point their guns at him or force him.
"'Wag naman po sana tayong kaladkarin o tutukan ng baril," he said.
The warrants were released a day after the First Division ordered their issuance as division chairman Associate Justice Efren dela Cruz was not able to sign the documents before the end of office hours Thursday.
Of his 32 co-accused, only Janet Lim-Napoles is under detention but for a separate case of serious illegal detention filed by whistleblower Benhur Luy in 2013 before a Makati court. Napoles has been staying at Fort Sto. Domingo in Sta. Rosa, Laguna since September last year.
The First Division ordered the issuance of warrants of arrest on Thursday after finding probable cause in the cases filed by the Ombudsman against the accused. It also denied the motion of Revilla to suspend the proceedings. — With reports from Joel Locsin, Kimberly Jane Tan and Amanda Fernandez/LBG/KG/RSJ, GMA News
More Videos
Most Popular
