Judge Geraldine Faith Econg Who Acquits Revilla Reveals Truth Behind Her Decision
The Sandiganbayan judge who acquitted Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. has finally revealed the reason behind her decision.
Sandiganbayan First Division Associate Judge Geraldine Faith Econg clarified her decision in acquitting the former lawmaker.
Econg explained that she really wanted to convict Revilla with plunder but was restrained due to the lack of evidence.
“Yes, I know it’s unpopular. I would have loved to be a heroine, that I convicted him. But at the end of the day, I’m bound to rule based on the evidence presented by both the prosecution and the defense,” Econg.
Bong Revilla was involved in Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) scam for allegedly allocating P224 million to fake non-government organizations owned by Janet Lim-Napoles, the alleged mastermind of pork barrel scam.
The former lawmaker has been accused of directly/indirectly receiving commissions and kickbacks from the pork barrel.
The lady judge said that the Court cannot hold Revilla liable for plunder since the prosecution failed to prove that he is guilty.
“In other words, lack of direct evidence should not be an opportunity for one to fall for the convenient lure of suspicion in the determination of an accused’s liability for the crime charged,” the associate justice said quoted by Inquirer.
Meanwhile, Revilla’s aide Richard Cambe and Janet Lim-Napoles were convicted.
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