Justices warn Revilla's lawyers against talking 'too much'

MANILA, Philippines - The Sandiganbayan on Thursday warned the Sen. Ramon Revilla Jr.'s lawyers in giving their opinion on the plunder and graft cases to the members of the media.

Associate Justice Efren dela Cruz, chairperson of the Sandiganbayan's First Division, told Revilla's lawyer Joel Bodegon that the Court is "not happy" with the lawyers are doing after the hearings.

The court was hearing the petition filed by the Office of the Ombudsman to suspend Revilla as member of the Senate because of his pending plunder and graft charges.

"We are not happy about it when you give your opinions after the hearings," Dela Cruz said, noting that talking about the merits of the case outside the Court could be deemed a violation of the sub judice rule.

Dela Cruz said that the Court wants "to be fair" to all parties involved in the case.

Another member of the Court, Associate Justice Rafael Lagos, told Bodegon to argue the merits of the cases inside the courtroom.

"All of the arguments, you can do it here," Lagos said.

He added that lawyers voicing out their opinions to reporters on the pending cases before the Court "could be too much."