Drilon: 3 senators face expulsion

MANILA, Philippines - Senate President Franklin Drilon on Wednesday said that the three senators charged with plunder over the pork barrel scam may be expelled from the rolls.

Drilon, however, said that there are still no moves in the Senate to start the process as the plunder cases of Seantors Juan Ponce Enrile, Jinggoy Estrada and Ramon "Bong" Revilla Jr. are still being tackled  in the courts.

Petitions for expulsion of a senator must undergo processes through the Senate committee on ethics where the legislator will judged by his peers.

Barely a week after Estrada and Revilla separately turned themselves over the Philippine National Police at Camp Crame, Drilon reiterated that the three senators charged for pork barrel misuse face automatic 90-day suspension.

“The suspension is automatic against the accused once a petition to suspend them is filed by the Ombudsman,” the Senate president said, explaining the processes.

“Walang gagawin ang Sandiganbayan kundi i-suspend sila. After 90 days naman po, mananatili pa rin sila sa detention, hindi sila pwedeng mag-apela dahil sa non-bailable offense ito,” Drilon pointed out.

Revilla and Estrada, who both detained at Camp Crame, have asked the Sandiganbayan to be allowed to post bail.

Drilon said during the interview that after the 90-day suspension, the process of expulsion may start. The Senate leader, however, did not elaborate on the topic.

Reacting to reports that the Sandiganbayan may issue judgement in the next two years in time for the end of President Aquino’s term, Drilon said in jest that he will build monuments for the Sandiganbayan justices who will make this happen.

“Tatayuan ko ng rebulto yung mga justices kung matatapos nga nila ng two years. That is how I believe na talagang mabagal, kaya itatayo ko ng rebulto ang Sandiganbayan justices pag natapos po ito ng dalawang taon,” he said.

Drilon shared the concern that the accused should be accorded fair and speedy trial.

“But kidding aside, tama po yan. Kung kayang tapusin in two year’s time, talagang iyan po ay maganda, dahilan po ay kung talaganag consistent po iyan sa ating speedy trial na nakalagay sa ating Saligang Batas. Pangalawa, makikita ng taumbayan na kung talagang ikaw ay nagkasala, mapaparusahan ka o makukulong ka, kung ikaw ay walang ebidensiya naman, ay mabalewala yung kaso laban sa iyo,” he said. “Kaya importante ito ay matapos in two years’ time.”

While Estrada and Revilla are in jail, Drilon said their respective committees will be handled by their vice-chairmen. Sen. Vicente Sotto III, meanwhile, will act as acting Senate minority leader once Enrile is detained.