Aseanews Headlines: BREAKING NEWS / MANILA- Sandiganbayan clears Revilla in pork barrel scam
MANILA, Philippines (Update 1, 10:02 a.m.) — The Sandiganbayan acquitted on Friday former Sen. Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. from plunder charges for the misuse of over P224.5 million worth of public funds.
In a vote of 3-2, the Sandiganbayan’s Special Division ruled that Revilla is not guilty of plunder in connection with the pork barrel scam. This is the first trial over the multi-billion Priority Development Assessment Fund or pork barrel scam to finish.
The STAR reported that Revilla “cannot be held liable” for the charge as the prosecution failed to prove his guilt “beyond reasonable doubt.”
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Associate Justice Geraldine Faith Econg, Edgardo Caldona and Georgina Dumpit-Hidalgo voted for the acquittal of Revilla.
Associate Justices Efren de la Cruz and Ma. Theresa Gomez Estoesta meanwhile voted to convicted Revilla of plunder.
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The First Division meanwhile convicted Richard Cambe, Revilla’s aide, and businesswoman Janet-Lim Napoles.
Napoles and Cambe are sentenced to reclusion perpetua or imprisonment of up to 40 years.
The Office of the Ombudsman filed plunder against Revilla in June 2014.
Ombudsman prosecutors accused Revilla of pocketing P224.5 million as kickbacks for funneling the PDAF allocated to him to fictitious livelihood projects of Napoles, dubbed as the pork barrel scam mastermind. — with reports from Elizabeth Marcelo
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Former Sen. Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. arrives at the Sandiganbayan for the promulgation of the decision on his plunder case in connection with the pork barrel fund scam.
Revilla is accused of receiving P224.5 million in kickbacks for allocating his Priority Development Assistance Fund or pork barrel to fake foundations owned by alleged pork barrel scam mastermind Janet Lim Napoles.
Revilla is accused of receiving P224.5 million in kickbacks or commissions in exchange for allocating his Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) or pork barrel to fake foundations owned by the alleged pork scam mastermind Janet Napoles. @PhilippineStar
— Elizabeth T. Marcelo (@marcelo_beth) December 7, 2018
Bong Revilla, a former senator, is being escorted out of the court room after his acquittal in the plunder case.
While criminally cleared, he is deemed civilly liable.
Napoles and Cambe sentenced to reclusion perpetua or maximum of 40 years of imprisonment.
Sandiganbayan First Division acquits ex-Sen. Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. of plunder; convicts his co-accused Richard Cambe and Janet Lim-Napoles.
Voting for Revilla’s acquittal were Associate Justices Geraldine Faith Econg, Edgardo Caldona & Georgina Dumpit-Hidalgo; Associate Justices Efren De La Cruz and Ma. Theresa Dolores Gomez-Estoesta voted for conviction.
Kristine Joy Patag (philstar.com) – December 7, 2018 – 9:49am
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