Sandiganbayan justices disapprove special division for PDAF cases

Sandiganbayan Building along Commonwealth, Quezon City. Photo courtesy of DGR Law Offices.

MANILA — The recent meeting held by Sandiganbayan justices showed that most justices are not in favor of handling the plunder and graft cases in connection with the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF)through special divisions.

In a report for the Philippine Star, sources said that most Sandiganbayan justices prefer to hear the PDAF cases the same way they are handling other cases.

A raffle which was held early this morning will determine which court will handle cases against Senators Juan Ponce Enrile, Ramon Revilla Jr. and Jinggoy Estrada and their co-accused.

The raffle was done following the inhibition made by the Fourth Division chaired by Associate Justice Gregory Ong.

Meanwhile, former President and now Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada also agrees with the majority of the Sandiganbayan justices.

Estrada believes that a regular division will be enough to hear the cases filed against his son and other accused.

“Is that necessary? I think one division is enough,” he said as quoted in the same Philippine Star report. 

With reports from Philippine Star