Sandiganbayan orders suspension of Revilla, Cambe

(Updated 5:16 p.m.) The Sandiganbayan First Division on Monday ordered the suspension of Senator Ramon Bong Revilla Jr. and his senior aide, Atty. Richard Cambe, for 90 days in connection with the alleged P10-billion pork barrel scam.

 

"Accused Revilla and Cambe are hereby suspended from their respective positions as Senator and Director III of Senator Revilla's office, and from any other public office which he may now or hereafter be holding for a period of ninety (90) days from notice," the three-page minute resolution read.

The resolution was signed by First Division chairperson Associate Justice Efren dela Cruz, Associate Justice Rodolfo Ponferrada, and Associate Justice Rafael Lagos.

BREAKING: Sandiganbayan 1st Division approves prosec motion to suspend Sen Revilla & his COS Cambe. | via @tinapperez pic.twitter.com/swlvaH0TeW

— GMA News (@gmanews) August 4, 2014
 
 
 

Government prosecutors earlier asked the anti-graft court to suspend Revilla and Cambe as they have already been arraigned, making the criminal information filed by the state prosecutors valid.

 

"In view of the arraignment of the accused and that validity of the Information in the instant case is no longer in question, and invoking the clear mandate of the law, suspension of both accused pending litigation is now mandatory," the motion stated.

 

According to the resolution, however, the suspension will only be implemented once the order is deemed final.

 

"The President of the Senate shall implement the order once he has been notified of the finality hereof," it said.

 

Revilla and Cambe have two weeks to file a motion for reconsideration of the suspension.

Senate to abide by order

Senate President Franklin Drilon said that the Senate will abide by the suspension order when it becomes final and executory.

“Amin pong susundin ang utos ng Sandiganbayan kagaya po ng kay Senator Enrile and Senator Estrada. Binibigyan ng pagkakataon si Senator Revilla ng Sandiganbayan na mag-file ng motion for reconsideration within 15 days. Once the court has resolved and disposed with the motion for reconsideration, or if no MR will be filed after 15 days, then we will implement the suspension order,” he told reporters Monday before session resumed.

The anti-graft court had earlier ordered the suspension of Senate Minority Leader Juan Ponce Enrile and Senator Jinggoy Estrada, who are also detained on plunder and graft charges over the alleged pork barrel scam. 

But the Senate has yet to implement the two orders, saying the earlier rulings were not yet final.

In seeking the suspension of Revilla and Cambe, government prosecutors cited Section 5 of Republic Act 7080 states that public officers charged with plunder "shall be suspended from office. Should he be convicted by final judgment, he shall lose all retirement or gratuity benefits under any law."

 

They said Revilla's continued stay in office "may frustrate the prosecution of the crime, if not prejudice the case filed against him.

 

"To prevent the accused from committing further acts of malfeasance, tamper with documentary evidence and intimidate or influence witnesses in the case, it is necessary that the accused be suspended from office while thy case is pending in court," they said. — with Amita Legaspi/RSJ/KG/BM, GMA News