Sandiganbayan reminds accused in PDAF scam to surrender or post bail to avoid embarrassment

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

MANILA — The Sandiganbayan on Tuesday reminded accused in the pork barrel scam that they only have 10 days upon issuance of warrant of arrest to surrender and post bail if they do not want to be embarrassed when law enforcers make the arrest.

The warning came after officials of the anti-graft court noticed that there are only few co-respondents facing graft have posted bail.

In a chance interview with Renato Bocar, Sandiganbayan spokesman and executive clerk of court, he said those accused for plunder also need to surrender to avoid being humiliated by arresting officers.

Bocar reminded the accused of plunder that their case is not bailable for they can be arrested anytime from the issuance of the warrant.

He pointed out that only Senators Jinggoy Estrada and Ramon Revilla Jr., as well as Revilla’s former legislative officer Richard Cambe, have surrendered to the Sandiganbayan.

Those charged with plunder who are now the subject of manhunt are John Raymund De Asis, alleged mastermind Janet Lim-Napoles’ employee; Ronald John Lim, Napoles’ nephew; and Pauline Labayen, Estrada’s former deputy chief of staff.

Bocar stressed that they should surrender within 10 days from the issuance of warrant saying that arresting officers are expected to report to the court after 10 days of receipt of warrant on the status of their manhunt.

He reminded those who failed to surrender may be considered fugitives from the law.

“They can be considered at large, already,” Bocar said in the vernacular.

However, he said, those charged with graft may post bail to avoid arrest, adding that paying the bail means they surrendered to the custody of the court for the trial and secure temporary liberty.