MANILA, Philippines – The Sandiganbayan has denied a motion to re-arrest former Apec party-list representative Edgar Valdez, while the court is hearing his P57-million plunder case in connection with the pork barrel fund. Valdez was among the elected officials indicted for plunder in connection with the so-called pork barrel scam allegedly masterminded by Janet Lim Napoles. The Sandiganbayan however denied Valdez and Napoles’ demurrers to evidence last September 2018, saying the prosecution was able to establish the validity of the plunder charges. A demurrer to evidence is a document contesting the validity of the evidence presented. However, Sandiganbayan noted that there was no need to pinpoint the main plunderer as it is automatically the government official involved.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer January 15, 2020 06:11 UTC