Plunder case of Bong Revilla submitted for resolution

The plunder case of detained former Senator Ramon "Bong" Revilla Jr. over his alleged role in the "pork" barrel fund scam has been submitted for the decision of the Sandiganbayan, four years after it was formally filed in court.

First Division clerk of court Atty. Estela Teresita Rosete confirmed to GMA News Online that Revilla's case is ripe for resolution. She, however, said there is no date yet on when the decision will be promulgated.

The prosecution submitted its memorandum, or closing arguments, to the Sandiganbayan on September 11.

Article VIII, Section 15 of the 1987 Constitution states: "A case or matter shall be deemed submitted for decision or resolution upon the filing of the last pleading, brief, or memorandum required by the Rules of Court or by the court itself."

The Constitution also has a provision for lower courts such as the Sandiganbayan to resolve a case within three months. This means Revilla will wait at most until December on whether he is acquitted or convicted of the non-bailable offense.

The prosecution had accused Revilla of amassing ill-gotten wealth worth P224.5 million after he channeled his Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF), or pork barrel, to the bogus foundations of his co-accused and alleged scheme mastermind Janet Lim Napoles.

The former lawmaker denied this allegation as he defended himself at the Sandiganbayan on June 28. 

The Sandiganbayan continued the proceedings even if Revilla's legal team sought for his release from jail and the dismissal of his case before the Supreme Court. 

Revilla, in his closing arguments, said the prosecution and the whistle-blowers failed to prove that he signed documents facilitating the release of his PDAF in favor of the Napoles foundations. 

Revilla also banked on the recant of whistle-blower Marina Sula who claimed it was fellow state witness Benhur Luy who forged his signatures on the documents.

"In this case, the prosecution has not presented any evidence, much less evidence proving beyond reasonable doubt, that accused Revilla received from Janet Lim Napoles, Ronald John Lim and John Raymund De Asis any money, commissions or kickbacks," he said in his memorandum.

Revilla is further facing 16 counts of graft at the Sandiganbayan in connection with the multi-billion-peso scheme.

According to party-mate and House Deputy Speaker Prospero Pichay Jr., Revilla will announce his decision on whether to he will run as a senator anew by next week.  — RSJ, GMA News