Arrest warrant out vs Bong, 31 others

MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) — The Sandiganbayan on Friday morning released the warrant of arrest against Sen. Ramon "Bong" Revilla, Jr. and 31 other people charged with graft and plunder over the "pork barrel" fund scam.

Associate Justice Efren De La Cruz, presiding justice of the anti-graft court's First Division, signed the document at about 8:45 p.m. ordering the authorities to arrest the senator.

Revilla's chief of staff Richard Cambe, pork scam operator Janet Lim Napoles, and her aide John Raymond de Asis were also ordered arrested for graft charges.

Also covered by the arrest warrant were Budget Undersecretary Mario Relampagos, Technology Resource director Dennis Cunanan and former director Antonio Ortiz and several government employees.

The court set the bail for the release of those charged with graft at P30,000.

One of the individuals facing graft, former National Livelihood Development Corp. official Chita Jalandoni, posted bail at the court's First Division right after the issuance of the arrest warrant.

Jalandoni is facing seven counts of graft. She was supposed to post a bail bond of P30,000 for each count, but it was reduced to just P90,000.

Revilla's lawyer, Joel Bodegon, has said that they will file a motion for bail immediately after the senator is detained. Plunder is a non-bailable offense by default.

Revilla, meanwhile, headed to the St. Michael's Church in Bacoor, Cavite to offer some prayers before turning himself in at the Sandiganbayan in Quezon City. He was accompanied by his family and supporters.

"Salubong na. 'Di na tayo mag-aantay, matatapos na rin ang paghihirap natin. Ganun na rin naman 'yun e," Revilla said in an interview over dzBB.

"Kahit makulong na nila si Bong Revilla, hindi naman po makukulong ang pagmamahal ko sa bayan," he added.

Agents of the National Bureau of Investigation and members of the Philippine National Police await the assailed senator's arrival at the Sandiganbayan to serve the warrant. 

Read: Bong Revilla heads to Sandiganbayan to surrender

This is a developing story

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