Palace respects Sandiganbayan’s acquittal of Bong Revilla in plunder case

(Eagle News) — The Palace on Friday, Dec. 7, urged the public to respect the decision of the Sandiganbayan acquitting former Senator Bong Revilla of plunder.

“While justice grinds so slow most of the time it does grind, and when it stops it renders a verdict that is exacting immutable,” Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said of the special first division’s decision promulgated on Friday that also found Revilla’s former chief of staff, Richard Cambe, and alleged pork barrel scam queen Janet Lim Napoles, guilty of plunder and sentenced them to reclusion perpetua.

According to Panelo, “regardless” thus of the “sentiments to the contrary, we have to bow down to the judgment of the Sandiganbayan.”

In any case, he said either party, “whether for the prosecution or the defense, who feels aggrieved of the decision may still pursue remedies available under our procedural laws.”

“We have consistently respected the independence of the Judiciary and we will continue to do so in this case as we implement the final orders of the anti-graft court on the matter…,” he said, saying the judiciary “has performed its constitutional duty of dispensing justice.”

“In any event, this administration takes stock of the lessons learned from cases involving unconstitutional discretionary funds and has implemented measures to ensure the integrity of the national budget and its proper utilization for our people,” he added.