In an interview aired on GMA 7’s “24 Oras”, Trillanes reasoned that the law must always be upheld.
Section Five of Republic Act 7080, or the AntI-Plunder Law, says that any public officers charged with plunder “shall be suspended from office. (And) Should he be convicted by final judgment, he shall lose all retirement or gratuity benefits under any law.”
Trillanes also said that Revilla and Estrada’s possible suspension would have no effect on the Senate’s proceedings. “We still have a quorum. We can still pass treaties, so, hindi ito makakaapekto,” he explained.
On Monday, the Ombudsman filed two separate motions before the Sandiganayan First Division and Fifth Division to have both Revilla and Estrada suspended for 90 days. If the motions are granted, both senators would be barred from filing bills, or from hearing any filed bills.
Revilla is the current chairman of two Senate committees – the committee on public services and the congressional oversight committee on Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines.
Estrada meanwhile is the chairman of the committee on labor, employment and human resources development and the congressional oversight committee on labor and employment.
Both senators are currently detained at the Philippine National Police Custodial Center in Camp Crame.
Sandiganbayan’s decision
Senate President Pro-Tempore Ralph Recto said the Senate would comply with the Sandiganbayan’s decision, whatever it would be. “We have no authority to take an official position. That is for the Sandiganbayan to decide on. The courts will inform the Senate if at all there is such an order,” Recto said.
Revilla and Estrada had earlier said that the Ombudsman’s motions were unnecessary as the two lawmakers were detained. They were in no position to exert influence on the proceedings against them over the multi-billion pork barrel fund scam.
“The suspension is just preventive, not punitive. Usually, it is imposed to prevent a person charged from causing further harm,” Estrada’s lawyer Alexis Abastillas, told GMA News Online in an interview.
“This no longer serves the purpose of suspension. Bakit ba sinu-suspend? Para hindi na maka-take advantage sa official position or maka-influence sa investigation. Naka-detain na si Senator Bong, kaya walang saysay na talaga ito,” Joel Bodegon, Revilla’s lawyer said in a separate interview.
The First Division hearing on Revilla’s suspension is set for July 3, while Estrada’s Fifth Division hearing is set for July 4. — Elizabeth Marcelo/DVM, GMA News
