Revilla’s graft trial to begin January

The trial of former Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. over the multi-million Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) anomaly will start in January.

The Sandiganbayan First Division set the trial for January 11 during its hearing Thursday.

It was supposed to start yesterday but the court, headed by Chairperson Efren Dela Cruz, decided to reset it.

Revilla faces 16 graft cases together with pork barrel mastermind Janet Lim Napoles and several other respondents.

Dela Cruz also ordered the defense and the prosecution to submit soft copies of their pre-trial brief, which would include all of their evidence. “We will give the parties 10 days to check if you have already submitted soft copies,” he said.

Revilla, who was always present at his plunder trial, did not appear before the court yesterday. His lawyer, Rheody Anthony Balisi, said there was no need for the senator’s appearance because it was agreed in the previous hearing that the graft trial will start next year.

The plunder trial wrapped up last week.

The defense is expected to file a demurrer to contest the evidence submitted by the prosecution. Revilla’s lawyer Estelito Mendoza said that if the evidence fails to prove guilt beyond reasonable doubt, “we are no longer obliged to present any evidence. Instead, the court will enter a judgment of acquittal so that’s the end of the case.”