By Czarina Nicole Ong
The lawyers of former senator Ramon "Bong" Revilla have decided to cancel his December 6, 2018 graft trial in order to better prepare for his plunder promulgation on December 7.
This is what his counsel, Atty. Reody Anthony Balisi, told the Sandiganbayan First Division justices Thursday, explaining that they need more time to prepare for the promulgation.
The prosecution posed no objection to their request, so Chairperson Efren Dela Cruz said: "The hearing on December 6, as prayed for by Atty. Balisi is hereby cancelled."
Revilla is facing one plunder charge and 16 counts of graft because of the reported misuse of his priority development assistance fund (PDAF), which he allegedly endorsed to the bogus non-government organizations (NGOs) owned by Janet Lim Napoles in exchange for kickbacks amounting to P224,512,500.
He is currently detained at the Philippine National Police Custodial Center in Camp Crame, Quezon City.