Revilla's acquittal draws mixed views from senators

Senators gave mixed reactions to the decision of the Sandiganbayan to acquit former senator Ramon ‘Bong’ Revilla Jr. on the plunder charges filed against him before the Sandiganbayan in connection with the multi-million-peso pork barrel fund scam.

In a text message to GMA News Online, Senate President Vicente Sotto III said that he “will most probably see him (Revilla) back in the Senate next year.

Revilla will be running for Senate in the 2019 midterm elections.

Senator Francis Pangilinan said he finds it hard to understand the decision.

“Paano naging guilty ang nanuhol pero not guilty ang sinuhulan? Mahirap unawain ang naging pasya. Ang pinababalik na P124 million ay makakapagpasweldo ng 248,000 na minimum wage earner sa isang araw," Pangilinan said.

Senator Panfilo Lacson said, as a former colleague and friend, he is happy for Revilla but, as a strong advocate against the pork barrel system, he feels weak and defeated.

“As a legislator who knows the justice system, I respect the decision of the Sandiganbayan, for they, more than anyone have better appreciation of the evidence. At the end of the day, life goes on. Same is true with our individual battles,” he said in a post on his Twitter account.

As a former colleague and friend, I am happy for ex Sen Bong Revilla. As a strong advocate against the pork barrel, I feel weak and defeated. As a legislator, I respect the decision of the Sandiganbayan. At the end of the day, life goes on. Same is true with our battles.

— PING LACSON (@iampinglacson) December 7, 2018

Senator Gringo Honasan, who is also facing complaints in connection with the pork barrel scam, said the acquittal provides a breathe of fresh air.

“In the sense to me that it can allow us to move forward, move on na tayo, get this behind us as long as these two conditions are met—uphold the rule of law and apply due process,” he told reporters in a chance interview.

Senator Richard Gordon refused to comment on the anti-graft court’s decision, saying he has yet to read it but added that it is good for Revilla “because he wins."

Asked what lesson can be learned from the case, the senator said lawmakers should always do what is right.

“The lesson is make sure you do it right. Use the money where it is intended for, make sure that it is clearly being used not by the senator but by the government.  Kasi ‘yun ang problema d’yan, nagkakaroon ng interest ang mga congressman, mga senator, sila na ang nagpapagawa,” Gordon told reporters.

He said there is a need to review anew the system of funding government projects.

“It gave pork barrel a bad name. Maraming nasaktan diyan dahil ‘yung mga tao pag walang malapitan at merong kelangang madala sa probinsiya na napapabayaan ng gobyerno, hindi na makakapasok ngayon and only the national government will make that decision, they are not exactly angels either,” he said.

He added there should be transparency in the use of funds.

“Transparency of any appropriation, whether it is pork barrel or any appropriation must really be nakikita ng tao ‘yung pupuntahan,” he said.

The Sandiganbayan found Revilla not guilty of plunder but his co-accused— businesswoman Janet Lim Napoles, pork barrel scam mastermind, and lawyer Richard Cambe, Revilla’s former chief of staff — were found guilty and sentenced to reclusion perpetua.

The court also ordered Napoles and Cambe to "solidarily" return P124 million to the government.

Immediately after his acquittal, Revilla posted P480,000 in bail bond for his temporary freedom on his graft case.

The former senator has been detained at the Philippine National Police Custodial Center in Camp Crame since June 20, 2014 after the Sandiganbayan ordered his arrest.

He has been accused of amassing P224.5 million worth of ill-gotten wealth by channeling his Priority Development Assistant Fund, or pork barrel, to bogus foundations linked to Napoles from 2006 to 2010. —LDF, GMA News