Sereno: Revilla ruling a 'legal abomination'

MANILA, Philippines — Former Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno branded the acquittal of former Sen. Ramon “Bong” Revillar Jr. as the “latest abomination of justice.”

Speaking at a forum in Baguio on Monday, Sereno said: “Justice is a demand from the Creator himself, thus the very sad episode in this nation’s history when we all heard the decision of the Sandiganbayan a few days ago acquitting [former] Sen. Ramon Revilla of the charges of plunder.”

The acquittal, the ousted chief justice said, “encapsulates the latest legal abomination that has been created in the last two years. It is a dagger stroke to the heart of justice.”

A transcript of her speech was sent to reporters.

In a vote of 3-2, the Sandiganbayan acquitted Revilla of plunder. Three justices said the former lawmaker, whose Priority Development Assistance Fund was funnelled to fictitious livelihood projects, cannot be held liable as prosecutors failed to prove his guilt beyond reasonable doubt.

The anti-graft court convicted Revilla’s aide, Richard Cambe, and businesswoman Janet Lim-Napoles, believed to be the brains behind the multi-billion pork barrel scam.

Questions were raised on the anti-graft court’s ruling, such as how Revilla was acquitted on criminal charges while the Sandiganbayan ordered the accused to return P124.5 to the nation’s coffers or whether the court looked into the Anti-Money Laundering Council’s report on Revilla.

Sereno quoted parts of Justice Efren de la Cruz’s dissent in her speech, saying that the Sandiganbayan justice “went on to object to the travesty of justice when an accused who has been proven to have amassed great wealth consisting of illegally acquired public funds is pronounced as not guilty.”

READ: Dissenting justice: Bong Revilla not naive to allow aide to act alone

“When law becomes an instrument of injustice, the nation loses its soul,” Sereno added.

Sereno was ousted from being the country’s top judge through the government’s quo warranto petition last May. — Kristine Joy Patag