"... the provision was applied in suspending other government officials facing charges before the Sandiganbayan, including Senators Juan Ponce Enrile, Ramon Revilla Jr. and Jinggoy Estrada, who are facing plunder and graft cases over the pork barrel fund scam."
Suspend Marinduque gov, Sandigan asked
by Michael Punongbayan (The Philippine Star), June 13, 2015
MMANILA, Philippines - The Sandiganbayan has been asked to suspend Marinduque Gov. Carmencita Reyes, who is facing graft and other charges in connection with a P5-million fertilizer fund scam in 2004.
In a motion filed with the anti-graft court’s Second Division on Thursday, government lawyers said Reyes should be suspended while she is on trial.
“Any incumbent public officer against whom any criminal prosecution…involving fraud upon government or public funds or property, whether as a simple or as complex offense and in whatever stage of execution and mode of participation, is pending in court shall be suspended from office,” ombudsman prosecutors said, citing section 13 of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.
They said the provision was applied in suspending other government officials facing charges before the Sandiganbayan, including Senators Juan Ponce Enrile, Ramon Revilla Jr. and Jinggoy Estrada, who are facing plunder and graft cases over the pork barrel fund scam.
“This court has repeatedly held that such preventive suspension is mandatory, and there are no ifs and buts about it,” the prosecution said.
Reyes, who was indicted three years ago, is accused of involvement in alleged questionable transactions with private contractor LCV Design and Fabrication Corp. - PHILSTAR
