MANILA, Philippines — The Sandiganbayan First Division ordered Monday the suspension of Ramon "Bong" Revilla Jr., accused of pocketing funds from his pork barrel allocation, from Senate for 90 days.
The anti-graft court also suspended Revilla's senior staff member and co-accused, Richard Cambe, from his post.
"As prayed for accused Revilla and Cambe 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 ninety days from notice," Associate Justice Efren de la Cruz, chair of the First Division, said in the order.
Government prosecutors earlier asked the court to have Revilla vacate his post to prevent him "from committing further acts of malfeasance, tamper with documentary evidence and intimidate or influence witnesses in the case."
Two other divisions of the Sandiganbayan had ordered the suspension of Senators Jinggoy Estrada and Juan Ponce Enrile for 90 days pending litigation for plunder linked to the embezzlement scheme.
Senate President Franklin Drilon, however, has not enforced Estrada and Enrile's suspension as the Senate awaits decision on the their motions for reconsideration on the orders.
Revilla, one of three Philippine senators accused of plunder, has refused to enter a plea during arraignment by the anti-graft court in the biggest corruption trial in the country in more than a decade. He is currently being held in custody in a detention facility at the Philippine National Police headquarters.