Court rejects Revilla’s bid to visit brother’s wake

MANILA, Philippines — The Sandiganbayan Third Division has rejected the bid of former Sen. Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. to visit the wake of his brother.

Revilla and his co-accused face a non-bailable malversation case over an alleged ghost project in Bulacan’s Pandi town worth P92.8 million. The former senator, who has repeatedly denied any involvement in the scheme, has since filed a bail petition which remains pending before this court.

READ: Court needs 30 more days to resolve Bong Revilla’s bail petition

Article continues after this advertisement

In a resolution dated June 26 but was only furnished to the media on Tuesday, the anti-graft court division rejected the urgent motion for furlough filed on the same day.

FEATURED STORIES

NEWSINFO

NEWSINFO

NEWSINFO

Revilla sought to personally visit the wake of Jojo Manungas Bautista at Imus, Cavite, on June 27 or 28. His motion also requested that he be without his prison garment and accompanied by Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) personnel.

READ: Revilla’s ‘Bulacan ghost project’ case marked 95% complete in 21 days

“The situation presented by accused Revilla could not be considered an emergency or a compelling circumstance that warrants an exception to the general rules imposed on a detained accused,” the resolution, signed by Associate Justice Karl Miranda, stated.

“While the loss of a sibling is a distinct tragedy, the justification presented by accused Revilla does not rise to the level of an exceptional ground required to override the court’s primary duty of maintaining secure custody over the accused, particularly considering the seriousness of the charges against him,” it also said.

Article continues after this advertisement

The court also noted that Revilla’s request would “strain the security capabilities and personnel of the BJMP.”

“It would also unduly create an impression on the public that the accused, being a former high-ranking public official, is a favored detainee over and above other similarly situated detainees,” the court further said. /das

Article continues after this advertisement

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.

Your subscription has been successful.