Major developments on pork barrel scam

The Sandiganbayan acquits detained businesswoman dubbed "pork barrel scam" queen, Janet Lim-Napoles, and a former lawmaker of plunder over the misuse of Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF), according to media reports.

The two, however, are found guilty of nine counts of corruption of a public official while former Rep. Edgar Valdez of Association of Philippine Electic Cooperatives has been convicted of nine counts of direct bribery.

Media reports that each of them are sentenced between two years and four months up to six years and a day in jail for these crimes and were also fined nearly P27 million.

Sandiganbayan denies former Sen. Jinggoy Estrada and Janet Lim-Napoles' demurrer to evidence seeking the dismissal of their plunder case over the PDAF scam.

The anti-graft court says the ombudsman's prosecution team was able to present strong evidence.

Sandiganbayan Fifth Division denies ex-Sen. Jinggoy Estrada & Janet Lim-Napoles' demurrer to evidence seeking the dismissal of their plunder case over PDAF scam. Court says prosecution team of @OmbudsmanPh was able to present strong evidence. @PhilippineStar

— Elizabeth T. Marcelo (@marcelo_beth) June 14, 2019

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Sandigan Fifth Division says the totality of evidence presented by @OmbudsmanPh prosecution team was strong enough to convict Estrada and Napoles if remains unrebutted with their counter-exhibits @PhilippineStar

— Elizabeth T. Marcelo (@marcelo_beth) June 14, 2019

Newly freed Bong Revilla maintains that he will not participate in the return of P124.5 million in civil liability ordered by the Sandiganbayan to be paid to the government in connection with the misuse of his pork barrel fund when he was a senator, The STAR's Elizabeth Marcelo reports.

"Ano ang isasauli ko? Wala naman akong kasalanan, nagsalita na ang korte na wala akong kasalanan," Revilla says.

The dispositive portion of the earlier Sandiganbayan decision states that "accused are solidarily and jointly liable to return to the national treasury the amount of P124.5 million" in pursuant to Article 100 of the Revised Penal Code.

Former Supreme Court spokesperson Theodore Te raises a question on former Sen. Bong Revilla's acquittal despite the Anti-Money Laundering Council report proving that tens of millions went to his account.

Te says this in an interview over ANC.

#ANCEarlyEdition Te: Revilla was acquitted but AMLC report proved money went into his account.

— ABS-CBN News Channel (@ANCALERTS) December 9, 2018

Sandiganbayan Associate Justice Ma. Theresa Dolores Gomez-Estoesta who filed a dissenting opinion noted that Revilla's bank accounts accumulated P170,981,280.46 by 2010. Revilla declared only P81,164,851.55 in cash and investments in his Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth that year. The disparity is close to P90 million.

Te also questions how Revilla's co-accused alleged pork barrel scam mastermind Janet Lim Napoles and his aide Richard Cambe was found to be involved in the conspiracy while Revilla was not.

Lawyer Ramon Esguerra, legal counsel of Revilla, however, says the AMLC report on Revilla's case was considered but not given credence as the majority found it has no probative value.

#ANCHeadstart Esguerra: AMLC report on Revilla's case was considered. The decision has a very lengthy explanation on why the AMLC report cannot be given credence, to the majority it has no probative value.

— ABS-CBN News Channel (@ANCALERTS) December 10, 2018

And he walks free. Bong Revilla, former senator, leaves the PNP Custodial Center where he was detained for four years.

He posted more than P400,000 in bail earlier today for the remaining counts of graft in connection to the pork barrel scam.

A sheriff from Sandiganbayan is already at the PNP Custodial Center to serve the release order for former senator Bong Revilla following his acquittal of plunder charges earlier today, the STAR's Romina Cabrera reports.

Bong Revilla, a former senator, is being escorted out of the court room after his acquittal in the plunder case.

While criminally cleared, he is deemed civilly liable.

Napoles and Cambe sentenced to reclusion perpetua or maximum of 40 years of imprisonment.

Sandiganbayan First Division acquits ex-Sen. Ramon "Bong" Revilla Jr. of plunder; convicts his co-accused Richard Cambe and Janet Lim-Napoles.

Voting for Revilla's acquittal were Associate Justices Geraldine Faith Econg, Edgardo Caldona & Georgina Dumpit-Hidalgo; Associate Justices Efren De La Cruz and Ma. Theresa Dolores Gomez-Estoesta voted for conviction.

Former Sen. Ramon "Bong" Revilla Jr. arrives at the Sandiganbayan for the promulgation of the decision on his plunder case in connection with the pork barrel fund scam.

Revilla is accused of receiving P224.5 million in kickbacks for allocating his Priority Development Assistance Fund or pork barrel to fake foundations owned by alleged pork barrel scam mastermind Janet Lim Napoles.

Revilla is accused of receiving P224.5 million in kickbacks or commissions in exchange for allocating his Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) or pork barrel to fake foundations owned by the alleged pork scam mastermind Janet Napoles. @PhilippineStar

— Elizabeth T. Marcelo (@marcelo_beth) December 7, 2018