Senator charged with plunder surrenders, asks to post bail

Opposition Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr surrendered to the Sandiganbayan, the Philippine anti-graft court, Friday morning, June 20, in connection with the plunder and graft charges he is facing. He, however, filed a petition with the court to allow him to post bail. The court ordered on the same day the arrest of Revilla, one of the 3 senators charged over the illegal diversion of millions of their discretionary funds to fake non-governmental organizations controlled by a woman who gave them kickbacks. Revilla, according to prosecutors pocketed the most among the senators at P242 million ($5.29 million). Revilla, who has not abandoned his ambition to seek the presidency in 2016, decried the “political persecution” waged against him by the Aquino administration. A day before his surrender, he stayed at the mansion of his father and namesake, a former senator who reportedly introduced him to the scam mastermind, in their home province south of Manila. Supporters kept vigil and accompanied him to Mass in the morning before he went to the Sandiganbayan. As of posting, the anti-graft court was hearing the motions of the two other senators charged with plunder, Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada and Juan Ponce Enrile.

Read Rappler’s exclusive on the senator’s wealth, his utilization of his pork barrel, and the political controversy he is embroiled in: Bong Revilla’s biggest battle.