Sandigan needs more time to decide on Revilla’s bail plea

MANILA, Philippines - The Sandiganbayan asked the Supreme Court (SC) on Friday to give them more time to decide on a bail plea filed by Sen. Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr., who is facing plunder charges over the alleged misuse of “pork” funds.

In a letter, the anti-graft court requested an extension of 10 days to the prescribed two days to resolve Revilla’s petition.

An SC circular requires appellate and lower courts to decide on a bail petition within 48 hours from date of submission of the plea.

In Revilla’s case, the 48-hour period ended yesterday after the Sandiganbayan submitted the case for resolution last Thursday.

The anti-graft court said with the number of witnesses and documents its justices need to go through, “it would be physically impossible” for the court to resolve the petition in two days.

Revilla is facing plunder before the Sandiganbayan for his alleged involvement in the pork barrel scam. Plunder is a non-bailable offense.