SC defers ruling on Drilon disbarment petition

MANILA, Philippines - The Supreme Court on Friday deferred action on the petition seeking to disbar and cite Senate President Franklin Drilon in contempt.

SC spokesman Theodore Te said that the case filed by Augusto Syjuco Jr., former Iloilo representative and former head of Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, would be raffled off anew and handled by another magistrate.

In his petition filed on Thursday, Syjuco sought the suspension of Drilon from law practice for filing Senate Resolution 302 realigning the unusued P3.18-billion of the 2013 Priority Development Assistance Funds (PDAF) to be converted into calamity funds under President Benigno Aquino III's office.

Syjuco said Drilon's move violates the high court's temporary restraining order on the release of the discretionary funds or pork barrel.

"It is important to note in this connection that being a lawyer, Drilon's wilful filing of Senate Resolution 302 and solicitation of signatures in the Senate in which Drilon had moral suasion and influence, should be regarded as a flagrant disrespect towards the authority and mandate of the Honorable Supreme Court," the petition stated.

Drilon had said that while the PDAF has been stopped by the high court, it could be converted to savings to be used by the President for the victims of the Central Visayas earthquake and other calamities.