Verdict on Revilla’s plunder case due

The Sandiganbayan First Division will hand out today its verdict on the plunder case of former Senator Ramon ‘Bong’ Revilla Jr.

Revilla's plunder case, which has been ongoing since 2014, is in relation to the supposed misuse of his Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF), which he allegedly endorsed to the bogus non-government organizations (NGOs) managed by Janet Lim Napoles in exchange for kickbacks amounting to R224,512,500.

On June 20, 2014, an arrest warrant was issued against him.

Revilla voluntarily surrendered before the anti-graft court and chose to be detained at the Philippine National Police Custodial Center in Camp Crame, Quezon City.

Also charged with plunder are fellow former senators Juan Ponce Enrile and Jose ‘Jinggoy’ Estrada, who are both out on bail.

Among the three, Revilla was said to have pocketed the biggest amount - R242 million. Estrada was accused of pocketing

R183 million, while Enrile reportedly received R172 million.

As for their graft charges, Revilla has the most number of cases.

He was slapped with 16 counts in violation of Section 3(e) of R.A. 3019, also known as the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, while Enrile has 15 and Estrada has 11.

Revilla, Estrada and Enrile are running for senator in the 2019 midterm elections.