‘PH justice system works’

BY PRINCE GOLEZ
Manila Reporter

MANILA – The filing of charges against Senators Juan Ponce Enrile, Jinggoy Estrada and Ramon Revilla Jr. over their implication in the multibillion-peso pork barrel scam before the Sandiganbayan illustrates the government’s commitment to its anti-corruption policies, said Senate President Franklin Drilon.

Drilon said the Aquino administration has always been “equally” applying the laws.

“Rich or poor, we are all equal under the law,” the Ilonggo senator said.

But the government should make sure that its “wheels of justice” work fair to earn public trust, he added.

“When our justice system does not do well, our people will start to have distaste for democracy,” Drilon warned.

He also said that should the three senators be arrested soon, “the (Senate as an) institution will (continue) to function.”

“The senators will come and go, but the Senate will stay,” he said.

Earlier, the veteran lawmaker said he would request that the senators involved in the pork controversy not be arrested in the Senate.

He will ask the law enforcement officers to arrest Enrile, Estrada and Revilla “outside the Senate building.”

“It is a matter of institutional courtesy,” Drilon said adding, however, that the law enforcement may not follow his advice./PN