Media firms' mad rush to cover pork barrel cases

MANILA, Philippines - How big are the pork barrel cases now pending before the Sandiganbayan?

Various media outlets are now rushing to the anti-graft court to cover one of the biggest corruption cases in the government.

According to the Sandiganbayan, the Sheriff's Office has accredited 144 reporters, cameramen, and photographers for tomorrow's arraignment of Senator Ramon Revilla Jr.and 19 other co-accused in the plunder and graft cases before the 1st Division of the Sandiganbayan.

However, not all of the 144 accredited media workers could fit inside the courtroom.

To solve the congestion of the courtroom during the hearing of cases, the Sheriff's Office will only allow 20 reporters from different media entities to be inside the venue.

"And that's only for the First Division. It will be packed with their lawyers,  and their immediate family members," Acting Sheriff Albert dela Cruz told.

Dela Cruz said they have to maintain order during the coverage of the trial of the pork barrel cases.

Two glass panels of a fire hose were shattered when Revilla went to the Sandiganbayan to surrender after the anti-graft court issued a warrant for his arrest.

To date, the Sheriff's Office has put on hold several request and applications for media accreditations.