Two Sandiganbayan justices admit ties with new Revilla lawyer

Sandiganbayan Justices Rafael Lagos and Rodolfo Ponferrada on Tuesday manifested that they have connections to lawyer Ramon Esguerra, the new legal counsel of detained Sen. Ramon "Bong" Revilla in the lawmaker's pork barrel scam cases. 

 

"I would like to manifest before this court and before the prosecution that Atty. Mon Esguerra and I know each other, in fact we were both professors in the UP College of Law and he was the professor of my daughter," Lagos said in open court. 

 

After his unsuccessful bail bid at the Sandiganbayan, Revilla, who faces graft and plunder charges in connection with the pork barrel scam, decided to part with his lawyer, Atty. Joel Bodegon. 

 

Taking Bodegon's place as Revilla's lawyer is Ramon Esguerra, who was also one of the lawyers of ex-Chief Justice Renato Corona. 

 

In his manifestation, Lagos added that he even helped Esguerra in his bid for the leadership of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines' Southern Tagalog faction. 

 

"We have common friends and in fact we stood as principal sponsor at a common friend's daughter's wedding," Lagos added. 

 

For his part, Ponferrada said his son was also a student of Esguerra's. 

 

Despite their numerous connections, Lagos and Ponferrada said they feel they will still be impartial in deciding Revilla's cases. 

 

"I believe I'll still be impartial. If you have any doubts at my impartiality, state it now or put it in writing," Lagos said. 

 

The prosecution for its part said they have faith in the integrity of the two justices and that they have no desire to object or inhibit from the case. — RSJ, GMA News