Elevate your local knowledge
Sign up for the iNFOnews newsletter today!
Celebrity senator is given a not guilty plea in high-profile corruption case in Philippines
MANILA, Philippines – One of three high-profile Philippine senators accused of plunder has refused to enter a plea during arraignment by an anti-graft court in the biggest corruption trial in the country in more than a decade.
The court instead entered a not guilty plea Thursday for Senator Ramon Revilla Jr., a popular actor accused of receiving 224 million pesos ($5.1 million) in kickbacks from a scam that allegedly diverted millions of dollars from anti-poverty and development funds allotted to lawmakers’ pet projects.
The prosecutions bolster a campaign by President Benigno Aquino III to fight the corruption that has plagued the nation of 97 million for decades. The problem has festered amid a culture of impunity among powerful politicians and their allies, weak law enforcement and a notoriously slow justice system.
News from © The Associated Press, . All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Join the Conversation!
Want to share your thoughts, add context, or connect with others in your community?
You must be logged in to post a comment.
