Sen. Revilla clams up on half-brother’s slay

Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. has refused to issue any further statements about the murder of his half-brother Ramgen Jose Bautista, 23, until after the preliminary investigation scheduled for Tuesday at the Parañaque City fiscal’s office.

“The senator does not want to issue any more statements especially since the (preliminary investigation) is set (Tuesday),” Revilla Jr.’s spokesperson Alde Pagulayan said in a text message.

Instead, his office issued a statement indicating his support for Monday’s celebration of Eid’l Adha or the Feast of Sacrifice by the Muslim community. The senator reiterated his call for the passage of a proposed bill prohibiting the use of “Muslim” and “Islamic” when referring to suspects in criminal cases.

It would be recalled that Ramgen’s mother, Genelyn Magsaysay, accused the senator on Sunday of “meddling” in the murder investigation.

This after Revilla Jr. expressed frustration over Ramgen’s sister, Ramona “Mara” Bautista’s hasty departure to Hong Kong on Friday after she was implicated in her brother’s death. He also urged Magsaysay to convince her daughter to return and face probers.

The senator’s office said a lawyer would be assigned to speak on his behalf soon.

Originally posted: 6:04 pm | Monday, November 7th, 2011