MANILA, April 2 (PNA) — Malacanang on Wednesday presented to media members a roadmap of the next steps following the filing of charges against those linked to the alleged P10-billion priority development assistance fund (PDAF) scam.
Alleged PDAF mastermind Janet Napoles is among those who will be charged with plunder and graft along with three senators — Juan Ponce Enrile, Ramon Revilla Jr. and Jinggoy Estrada.
“It is important that our people know and understand the processes in connection with the PDAF case,” Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. told a Palace media briefing.
“We are a government of laws, not of men. Let the rule of law take its course,” he added.
Coloma also noted that the judicial processes will be carried out by the Office of the Ombudsman, an independent constitutional body, and the Sandiganbayan that belongs to an independent and co-equal branch of the government.
The steps include:
1. Under the law, each and every one of the respondents is given five days from receipt of the Ombudsman’s resolution to file a Motion for Reconsideration;
2. The Ombudsman will evaluate and resolve such motions up to a maximum of 60 days;
3. The Ombudsman will file the information with the Sandiganbayan;
4. The case will then be raffled-off to one of the five divisions of the Sandigandayan (each division has three justices);
5. Upon evaluation of the information and the records of the case, the Court will issue warrants of arrest. (The issuance of the warrants of arrest ensures that the Court acquires jurisdiction over the person of the accused.)
6. Trial will commence. (Philippine News Agency)
