MANILA, Philippines - How big are the pork barrel cases now pending before the Sandiganbayan?
Various media outlets are now rushing to the anti-graft court to cover probably one of the historic events in the country.
According to the Sandiganbayan, the Sheriff's Office has already accredited 144 reporters, cameramen, and photographers for Thursday's arraignment of Sen. Ramon Revilla Jr. and 19 other co-accused in the plunder and graft cases before the First Division.
However, not all of the 144 accredited media workers could fit inside the courtroom.
To solve the congestion of the courtroom during the hearing of cases, the Sheriff's Office will only allow 20 reporters from different media entities to stay inside the venue.
"And that's only for the first division. It will be packed with their lawyers, and their immediate family members," Acting Sheriff Albert dela Cruz said.
Dela Cruz said they have to maintain order during the coverage of the trial of the pork barrel cases.
Two glass panels of a fire hose were shattered when Revilla went to Sandiganbayan to surrender after it issued a warrant for the senator's arrest.
To date, the Sheriff's Office has put on hold several request and applications for media accreditations.