Sandigan suspends Bong, senior aide

MANILA, Philippines - The Sandiganbayan yesterday ordered the suspension of Sen. Ramon Revilla Jr. in connection with the graft and plunder charges filed against him over the pork barrel fund scam.

The 90-day suspension order also covers Revilla’s co-accused, his former chief of staff Richard Cambe.

Sandiganbayan First Division chairman Justice Efren de la Cruz and Associate Justices Rodolfo Ponferrada and Rafael Lagos directed Senate President Franklin Drilon to implement the suspension order.

The Sandiganbayan Fifth Division chaired by Associate Justice Roland Jurado issued a similar suspension order against Sen. Jinggoy Estrada on July 18, while the Third Division headed by Presiding Justice Amparo Cabotaje-Tang suspended Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile on July 23.

“Any public officer against whom any criminal prosecution under a valid information under this act, whatever stage of execution and mode of participation is pending in court, shall be suspended from office,” government lawyers said, referring to Republic Act 7080 or the Plunder Law.

The Senate has yet to implement the suspension orders against Estrada and Enrile since the two senators have filed motions for reconsideration before the Sandiganbayan.

Last week, Drilon filed a manifestation informing the anti-graft court’s Third Division that he has decided to hold the implementation of the suspension order against Enrile.

His chief of staff Renato Bantug Jr. said the Senate would wait for the Sandiganbayan’s decision on the appeal.

Luy’s travel records

Meanwhile, alleged pork barrel fund scam operator Janet Lim-Napoles urged the Sandiganbayan to subpoena the travel records of whistle-blower Benhur Luy.

Her lawyer Stephen David filed a motion asking the anti-graft court’s First Division to have the Bureau of Immigration produce the travel documents of Luy. She earlier asked the anti-graft court to subpoena Luy’s bank records.

He did not specify the purpose of his pleading, but earlier said the documents are proof that Luy also benefited from the pork barrel fund scam.