The bereaved families of the 44 Special Action Force (SAF) troopers killed in a clash with Moro rebels in Mamasapano, Maguindanao are set to receive an additional P5.1 million in financial aid from the Senate’s savings from the suspension of Senators Juan Ponce Enrile, Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. and Jinggoy Estrada.
According to Senate President Franklin Drilon, the Senate saved P22.2 million when the three senators served their three-month suspension. Of this amount, P5.1 million would be donated to the bereaved families of the slain SAF troopers while the rest will be reverted back to the national treasury.
“So part of the savings of the Senate we will realign. It goes to the heirs of the 44, and those wounded,” Drilon said.
A document obtained by the Philippine Daily Inquirer showed the savings were accrued from the senators’ withheld salaries and unspent maintenance and other operating expenses.
Enrile and Estrada were suspended from September to November last year, while Revilla was temporarily barred from carrying out his duties as senator from November 2014 to 2015. The three senators are detained in connection with the plunder and graft charges filed against them over the pork barrel scam.
