Senator Bong Revilla. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines–The Sandiganbayan first division on Monday suspended Senator Ramon Revilla Jr. from public service for 90 days as he faces plunder and graft charges over the pork barrel scam.
The anti-graft court had also suspended Revilla’s legislative officer, Atty. Richard Cambe, who is also a co-accused in the plunder case.
“Accused Revilla and Cambe are hereby suspended from their respective positions as Senator and Director III of the Office of Senator Revilla, and from any other public positions they may now or hereafter be holding, effective for 90 days from notice,” the three-page resolution read.
The court effectively granted the state prosecutors’ move to have them suspended over suspicions that they may use their position to influence witnesses and tamper with evidence.
The court cited Republic Act 7080 or the Plunder Law in suspending Revilla and Cambe.
Section 5 of the law states that any public officer may be suspended from public office while facing criminal prosecution.
Revilla had insisted that suspending him would not be necessary because he is in detention and is therefore not in a position to influence witnesses or tamper with evidence.
Revilla also said suspending him would deprive his voters of representation, especially as he got the most number of votes as senator in the country’s electoral history.
Meanwhile, Revilla’s aide Cambe decried the lack of pre-suspension hearing.
He also said the information against him is not valid especially as the state prosecutors sought to amend the charge sheet.
Cambe also said he was denied due process because he was not allowed preliminary investigation.
The anti-graft court said the jurisprudence in suspending public officials facing criminal charges will take precedence over the accused’s claims.
Revilla completed the lineup of senators suspended as the court also suspended Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada and Juan Ponce Enrile.
Written by Bizchum
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