By Janice Cave
MANILA, (PNA) — The Palace sees nothing illegal in the move of the Department of Justice to request for the revocation of passports of those facing plunder charges in connection with the “pork barrel” funds scam.
At a media briefing, Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte said it is “perfectly understandable” that the DOJ would initiate such a move after four of those charged have left the country.
“They’re expected to undertake any and all measures within the law to make sure the respondents face the charges against them,” Valte said.
On Thursday, the DOJ requested the Department of Foreign Affairs to cancel the passports of 37 individuals implicated in the ongoing probe into the pork barrel scam.
The DOJ’s request would still have to be evaluated by the DFA.
Among those charged for plunder were Senators Ramon “Bong” Revilla, Jr., Jinggoy Estrada and Juan Ponce Enrile who allegedly allocated a portion of their Priority Development Assistance Funds to spurious non-government organizations owned by detained businesswoman Janet Lim-Napoles.