Palace: Ombudsman’s amended information to plunder charge allowed by rules of court

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MANILA — Malacanang on Thursday said the Ombudsman acted well within the rules of court when it submitted a motion to change parts of the information on the plunder charge against Senator Ramon Revilla Jr. in connection with the alleged pork barrel scam.

The anti-graft court Sandiganbayan junked the amended plunder information charge against Revilla.

“It is allowed by the rules of court for the prosecution to file what they did, which is an amended information at iharap iyong kanilang kaso sa paraan na inaakala nilang mainam at ito ay naaayon sa kanilang tungkulin at mandato,” said Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Herminio Coloma in a press briefing.

Coloma said the Office of the Special Prosecutor, which is under the Office of the Ombudsman, is an independent constitutional body.

“Hindi na po iyan sakop ng administration. Hindi na po iyan Executive. So malinaw po iyon, hindi po ang Executive ang nag-i-initiate nito,” Coloma stressed.

Further, Coloma expressed confidence that sufficient work has been done to build a credible and convincing case.

Citing President Benigno S. Aquino III, he said the matter is evidence-based and the government will file cases where there is sufficient buildup that will merit the successful prosecution of the case.

“We believe that we have done what is needed to build a strong case…Sa ngayon po ay ipinapaubaya na po natin sa pagpapasya ng ating mga hukom sa Sandiganbayan,” Coloma said, adding it continues to trust in the integrity of the anti-graft court.