Senator Jinggoy Estrada shows some documents during his privilege speech on the controversial Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) issue at the Senate on Wednesday (March 12, 2014). (MNS photo)
MANILA (Mabuhay) – Committees chaired by Senators Juan Ponce Enrile, Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada and Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. will continue to function even after they are arrested for plunder and graft charges, Senate President Franklin Drilon assured on Wednesday.
Drilon said the three senators’ respective committee vice chairmen would automatically take over the panels as he stressed that the Senate as institution is separate from its individual members.
“Kung sakaling may warrant of arrest na para sa tatlong senador na inisyu, ang mga Senate committee ay hindi maaapektuhan dahil (In case warrants of arrest for the three senators are issued, the Senate committees will not be affected because) the vice chairman for those committees can take up their work,” Drilon said.
In fact, Drilon noted that Estrada stood in the plenary on Tuesday delegating to a particular senator the sponsorship of his pending bills so these can be be tackled on the floor even after his arrest.
“Ibig lang niyan sabihin (What it means is), the institution will function, it will definitely continue to work,” he said.
On Friday, the Ombudsman filed plunder charges against Enrile, Estrada and Revilla for their alleged involvement in the pork barrel scam.
The Ombudsman also filed separate criminal and administrative cases for violating the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act against the three senators. (MNS)