Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. Nestor Corrales/INQUIRER.net FILE PHOTO
The Sandiganbayan has given furlough to former Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. to visit his ailing father Ramon Revilla Sr. as the ex-senator faces a plunder charge for the pork barrel scam.
In a resolution, the anti-graft court First Division said it allowed Revilla’s request on humanitarian grounds to visit his father from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday at St. Luke’s Medical Center at Bonifacio Global City (BGC) in Taguig.
“The Court grants the motion for humanitarian consideration. As prayed for, accused Revilla is hereby authorized to visit his father at the St. Luke’s Medical Center, BGC,” the court said.
The court ordered Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Directo General Ronald dela Rosa to coordinate with the court sheriff in providing personal escorts to Revilla.
The court also said Revilla should only be transported to St. Luke’s and no other place, and return him to his detention at the PNP Custodial Center not later than 8 p.m.
The court also forbade the use of any communication and electronic gadgets and any interviews with the media.
The court added that Revilla should shoulder all the expenses to be incurred by the PNP.
In his urgent motion filed before the anti-graft court First Division, Revilla said he was withdrawing his earlier motion to spend Christmas with family in Bacoor City in Cavite province, and instead filed a motion to visit his father, who is under intensive care unit at St. Luke’s Medical Center.
READ: Revilla seeks furlough to visit ailing father
Revilla told the court his father was diagnosed with severe sepsis secondary to pneumonia.
“Senator Revilla feels it is his obligation to come to the aid of his father, who is very close to him even by his mere presence, and cannot disregard a son’s natural urge and desire to visit and be with his ailing and weak father,” Revilla said through his lawyers.
Revilla recently lost his petition before the Supreme Court, which sustained the finding of probable cause for plunder against him.
READ: SC junks Bong Revilla plea to dismiss 200M plunder case
Revilla’s father was known for his role in the movies as “Nardong Putik,” while Revilla Jr. took on another prominent movie role as “Panday.”
Revilla surrendered and was detained at the Philippine National Police Custodial Center in 2014 as he stood trial for plunder.
He is accused of pocketing P224.5 million in kickbacks from his pork barrel fund.
Also detained for plunder is Revilla’s colleague, former Senator Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada, who was denied bail while accused of pocketing P183.7-million kickbacks. Enrile, now out on bail, is accused of receiving P172.8-million kickbacks.
Their plunder and graft charges were filed with the Sandiganbayan by the Office of the Special Prosecutor in June 2014. Their trial is underway. RAM/rga