No rush to sue JPE, Jinggoy, Bong: Palace

MANILA - Presidential Communications Group Secretary Sonny Coloma denies allegations the filing of the plunder cases against three senators was rushed so it can be included in the President's State of the Nation Address. This, after Senator Jinggoy Estrada accused the government of wanting him and Senators Bong Revilla and Juan Ponce Enrile jailed before the SONA. Coloma said the filing of the charges in connection with the pork barrel scam was never about the SONA. He also said Estrada's statement appears to be another attempt to divert the public's attention from the real issues. Meanwhile, Malacanang also supports the creation of special courts that will handle cases related to the pork barrel scam. Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte said the Palace is leaving the matter to the Supreme Court. Earlier, Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales asked the Supreme Court to create two special divisions of the Sandiganbayan to exclusively try and conduct continuous trial of the pork scam cases. The Ombudsman cited the complexities of the issues involved and the number of accused. ANC HEADSTART, June 9, 2014