SC junks Revilla plea for Carpio’s inhibition in ‘pork’ case

MANILA, Philippines - The Supreme Court (SC) has denied the petition of Sen. Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. for Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio not to participate in his plunder trial in the Sandiganbayan in connection with the pork barrel scam.

The high court rejected the argument of Revilla that Carpio should inhibit from the case since he is a cousin of Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales for lack of merit.

On the other hand, Associate Justice Martin Villarama Jr. accepted the request of Revilla for his inhibition since his wife, former SC clerk of court Ma. Luisa Villarama, is now a consultant in the Office of the Ombudsman.

While inhibition pleadings are subject to individual discretion of the justices involved, the high court acted collegially on the pleading. SC clerk of court Enriqueta Vidal signed the notice of resolution.

In a petition filed last June, Revilla asked the SC to issue a temporary restraining order (TRO) stopping the anti-graft court from hearing the cases filed against him last June 6.

Revilla also asked the SC to declare null and void the ombudsman’s joint resolution last March 28 finding probable cause in the charges against him and another resolution last June 4 denying his appeal.

He claimed the anti-graft office committed grave abuse of discretion in filing the plunder case without basis.

Revilla cited a ruling of the Sandiganbayan in the case for former President Joseph Estrada, which held that the filing of plunder charges requires proof that the accused amassed ill-gotten wealth amounting to at least P50 million.

He said the ombudsman violated his constitutional right to due process when it used the statements in the counter-affidavits of the other respondents in the pork barrel scam against him without furnishing him copies and giving him opportunity to defend himself.