From arrest to acquittal: Bong Revilla's 'pork barrel' case | ABS-CBN
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From arrest to acquittal: Bong Revilla's 'pork barrel' case
From arrest to acquittal: Bong Revilla's 'pork barrel' case
ABS-CBN News
Published Dec 07, 2018 10:04 AM PHT
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Updated Dec 07, 2018 06:54 PM PHT

MANILA - (UPDATE) Movie actor and former senator Ramon "Bong" Revilla Jr was acquitted of plunder Friday after languishing in detention for 4 years.
MANILA - (UPDATE) Movie actor and former senator Ramon "Bong" Revilla Jr was acquitted of plunder Friday after languishing in detention for 4 years.
Revilla was accused of pocketing P224 million in kickbacks from fake projects with the help of businesswoman Janet Lim Napoles, who was convicted of plunder during a promulgation of their case on Friday.
Revilla was accused of pocketing P224 million in kickbacks from fake projects with the help of businesswoman Janet Lim Napoles, who was convicted of plunder during a promulgation of their case on Friday.
Here is a timeline of Revilla's case:
AUGUST 16, 2013
Then senators Revilla, Juan Ponce Enrile, and Jinggoy Estrada were tagged in a special report by the Commission on Audit as among those who allegedly endorsed part of their discretionary funds to bogus non-government organizations linked to Napoles.
Then senators Revilla, Juan Ponce Enrile, and Jinggoy Estrada were tagged in a special report by the Commission on Audit as among those who allegedly endorsed part of their discretionary funds to bogus non-government organizations linked to Napoles.
AUGUST 29, 2013
At the start of the Senate investigation into alleged "pork barrel" misuse, former COA Chair Ma. Gracia Pulido-Tan said Enrile, Estrada, and Revilla funneled part of their pork barrel funds to fake NGOs linked to Napoles.
At the start of the Senate investigation into alleged "pork barrel" misuse, former COA Chair Ma. Gracia Pulido-Tan said Enrile, Estrada, and Revilla funneled part of their pork barrel funds to fake NGOs linked to Napoles.
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SEPTEMBER 12, 2013
PDAF scam whistle-blower Benhur Luy claimed he transacted with the offices of Enrile, Revilla, and Estrada for Napoles. He also revealed that Revilla, hidden under the moniker "Pogi," received the biggest kickback at P224 million.
PDAF scam whistle-blower Benhur Luy claimed he transacted with the offices of Enrile, Revilla, and Estrada for Napoles. He also revealed that Revilla, hidden under the moniker "Pogi," received the biggest kickback at P224 million.
SEPTEMBER 16, 2013
The Department of Justice files plunder charges against the 3 senators, Napoles and several others in connection with the pork barrel scam before the Office of the Ombudsman.
The Department of Justice files plunder charges against the 3 senators, Napoles and several others in connection with the pork barrel scam before the Office of the Ombudsman.
MAY 15, 2014
A list of government officials that Napoles claims she had transacted with was released by the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee. It included Revilla.
A list of government officials that Napoles claims she had transacted with was released by the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee. It included Revilla.
JUNE 6, 2014
The Ombudsman files plunder and graft charges against Enrile, Estrada, Revilla and several others before the Sandiganbayan.
The Ombudsman files plunder and graft charges against Enrile, Estrada, Revilla and several others before the Sandiganbayan.
JUNE 20, 2014
Two hours after the Sandiganbayan issues an arrest warrant against Revilla, the former action star surrendered to authorities at the anti-graft court.
Two hours after the Sandiganbayan issues an arrest warrant against Revilla, the former action star surrendered to authorities at the anti-graft court.
He was detained at the Police Custodial Center in Camp Crame on the same day. Estrada was arrested 3 days later while Enrile joined them a month later.
He was detained at the Police Custodial Center in Camp Crame on the same day. Estrada was arrested 3 days later while Enrile joined them a month later.
Since their arrest in 2014, only Revilla remained in detention after Enrile was allowed to post bail in 2015 on humanitarian grounds while Estrada posted bail in September 2017.
Since their arrest in 2014, only Revilla remained in detention after Enrile was allowed to post bail in 2015 on humanitarian grounds while Estrada posted bail in September 2017.
JANUARY 12, 2017
The Sandiganbayan starts the P224-million plunder trial of Revilla, making him the first legislator to be tried over the P10-billion "pork barrel" scam.
The Sandiganbayan starts the P224-million plunder trial of Revilla, making him the first legislator to be tried over the P10-billion "pork barrel" scam.
JULY 27, 2017
Revilla claimed during the third day of his pluder trial that he was as much a victim in the PDAF scam as the witnesses who testified against him.
Revilla claimed during the third day of his pluder trial that he was as much a victim in the PDAF scam as the witnesses who testified against him.
"I have nothing to do with this. Alam nating biktima sila. Biktima rin ako [We all know they were victims. I'm a victim too]," Revilla said in a media interview after the hearing.
"I have nothing to do with this. Alam nating biktima sila. Biktima rin ako [We all know they were victims. I'm a victim too]," Revilla said in a media interview after the hearing.
JUNE 28, 2018
Revilla denied before the anti-graft court that he received kickbacks from Napoles.
Revilla denied before the anti-graft court that he received kickbacks from Napoles.
"I never received money from Janet Lim Napoles at sa mga kasamahan niya (and her colleagues)," Revilla said.
"I never received money from Janet Lim Napoles at sa mga kasamahan niya (and her colleagues)," Revilla said.
Whistleblowers Marina Sula, Mary Arlene Baltazar and Merlina Suñas apparently sided with Revilla as they claimed that they did not see the former lawmaker sign the supposed endorsement letters for PDAF projects.
Whistleblowers Marina Sula, Mary Arlene Baltazar and Merlina Suñas apparently sided with Revilla as they claimed that they did not see the former lawmaker sign the supposed endorsement letters for PDAF projects.
The 3 prosecution witnesses instead claimed that it was actually their fellow whistleblower, Benhur Luy, who signed some of the documents.
The 3 prosecution witnesses instead claimed that it was actually their fellow whistleblower, Benhur Luy, who signed some of the documents.
AUGUST 9, 2018
The Sandiganbayan ends the plunder trial.
The Sandiganbayan ends the plunder trial.
DECEMBER 7, 2018
Revilla was cleared of plunder and was released from detention on the same day.
Revilla was cleared of plunder and was released from detention on the same day.
The court's decision marks the first resolution of a PDAF scam case since the Ombudsman began filing charges in 2014. Revilla however is still facing graft charges.
The court's decision marks the first resolution of a PDAF scam case since the Ombudsman began filing charges in 2014. Revilla however is still facing graft charges.
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