Injured Revilla on Senate absence: I’ll be on medical leave to heal

MANILA, Philippines — Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. on Tuesday said he will be taking a medical leave to rest and heal after the wound from his recent Achilles tendon repair surgery slightly opened.

In a statement, Revilla said he would be taking medical leave from the Senate’s Tuesday plenary session. However, he did not detail how long he would be on leave.

“Sa aking pisikal na pagdalo at paglahok sa plenaryo – na taliwas sa paulit-ulit na payo ng aking mga doktor – namaga at bahagyang bumuka ang sugat mula sa aking Achilles Tendon repair surgery,” said Revilla.

(After I physically attended plenary sessions – which is against the repeated advice of my doctors – the wound from my Achilles tendon repair surgery slightly opened and became swollen.)

“Despite my determination to participate in our plenary proceedings, the Senate President [Juan Miguel Zubiri] has decided to no longer allow me to do so remotely and online,” he added.

He said he would “continue to fulfill [his] mandate and push for the approval” of his bills, as well as hold hearings of the panel that he chairs.

But during the session, Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero motioned to allow Revilla to be recorded as present as long as he is virtually present.

“While his condition does not permit him to be present, but if tomorrow is a good day for him, if next week is a good day for him, then nothing prevents him too from being physically present and attending the session. I’d like to clarify, this does not seek to amend the rules. This is a simple motion to allow him, which does not need unanimous consent of the chamber,” said Escudero.

Senate Majority Leader Joel Villanueva later on joined Escudero’s motion. Zubiri approved the motion, but he noted that suggestions to amend Senate rules are still subject to debate.

“I don’t want to break tradition. I recall when Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago was sick with cancer, she was marked absent even if she was on medical leave. So I just don’t want us to break tradition, that’s something of debate. But anyway, we can suspend the rules on this particular issue for Senator Revilla on a case-to-case basis,” said Zubiri.

In a separate message to reporters also on Tuesday, Revilla clarified that despite the chamber’s decision, his medical leave stays in place.

“I am allowed to participate virtually because the consideration is based on my medical condition,” he said.

Revilla, on April 17, declared that he had been hospitalized due to an Achilles tendon injury. The senator then disclosed that the “partial tear” on his Achilles tendon was “caused by running.”