Press Release
June 6, 2014

STATEMENT OF SENATE PRESIDENT FRANKLIN M. DRILON
ON THE FILING OF PLUNDER CHARGES AGAINST SENATORS ENRILE, ESTRADA, AND REVILLA ET AL.

The decision of the Ombudsman to file plunder charges against Senators Juan Ponce Enrile, Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada and Ramon Bong Revilla et al. for alleged misuse of the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) is part of the constitutional and legal process which we must accept and respect.

The search for truth may be painful, but this is a process that strengthens our government institutions and reinforces the trust and confidence of our people in our justice system. We are a government of laws, not of men. And no one is above the law.

The Sandiganbayan will now hear and decide the case. The defense would be given its day in court - to present its witnesses and evidence.

We hope that the Sandiganbayan will set the case for speedy trial so that the innocent would be cleared and freed, and the guilty punished and jailed.

The Senate will abide by the process in accordance with the Constitution and our laws. We will abide by any orders to be issued by the Sandiganbayan.

We must remain vigilant so that speedy and impartial justice is served. Whatever the outcome, our government now has the opportunity to show that we have a functioning legal system that can render fair, speedy and impartial justice.

Lastly, the Senate leadership assures that this will not impair us from continuing to perform our mandate of enacting legislation that will provide jobs, combat poverty and strengthen anti-graft measures.

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