Jinggoy, Bong pleas to attend wake rejected

Senators Ramon ‘Bong’ Revilla and Jose Estrada. INQUIRER and AFP FILE PHOTOS

THE SANDIGANBAYAN on Tuesday denied the requests of detained Senators Jinggoy Estrada and Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. for furlough to attend the wake of veteran TV host and “Master Showman” German Moreno, saying it’s a mockery of justice.

The antigraft court’s Fifth Division reminded Estrada that the court had denied him bail which meant he can no longer fully enjoy his rights.

“Suffice it to state that to allow (Estrada) to leave his detention cell, especially at this time when the court already denied his petition for bail, will not only set a bad precedent but will likewise be regarded as a mockery of the administration of justice,” the court said.

The antigraft court’s First Division also turned down Revilla’s request, saying it does not consider attending the wake “a special circumstance” to allow him to leave detention for a few hours.

The two actors-turned-senators are being tried for plunder for allegedly amassing millions of pesos in kickbacks from their Priority Development Assistance Funds or pork barrel.

They are currently detained at the Philippine National Police Custodial Center in Camp Crame. Dona Z. Pazzibugan