Sandiganbayan allows detained Senator Revilla to visit sick father

Detained Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. (Facebook photo)

MANILA – The Sandiganbayan granted detained Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. a five-hour furlough to visit his ailing father, Ramon Revilla Sr. who was rushed to St. Luke’s Medical Center in Bonifacio Global City last Saturday due to pneumonia and dehydration.

In a formal request sent last Monday, Revilla asked the court to allow him to visit and spend a few moments with his ailing and weak father.

“Senator Revilla feels distraught and concerned about this unfortunate development involving former senator Revilla Sr. especially because of his present detention. He 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, and spend a few moments together, to provide former Senator Revilla Sr. the needed assurance and support,” Revilla said in his request.

Upon reaching a resolution on Tuesday, the Sandiganbayan permitted Revilla to visit his sick father either on July 14 or 15, from 3 pm to 8 pm.

“Accused Revilla shall be transported from his detention cell at Camp Crame not earlier than one hour before the appointed time on either of the above dates, to St. Luke’s Medical Center, and shall leave the hospital not later than 8 pm of the same day, to be brought back immediately to his detention cell at Camp Crame,” the anti-graft court said in its resolution.

During his five-hour furlough, Revilla would not be allowed to entertain reporters’ questions, and his mobile phone and other communication gadgets will be handed over to the Philippine National Police (PNP) security provided for him. He would also shoulder expenses to be incurred in the hospital visit.

Prior the Sandiganbayan’s ruling, the prosecution opposed Revilla’s request. They argued that Revilla Sr.’s hospitalization was not an ‘extraordinary’ situation.

The court, however, still granted Revilla’s furlough for ‘humanitarian reasons.’

Revilla Sr. remained confined at St. Luke’s Medical Center. Revilla’s lawyer, Atty. Raymond Fortun, earlier disclosed the patriarch’s condition.

“Nakakausap po siya ngayon, gising naman po. Kahapon medyo hindi makausap at matamlay na matamlay po talaga. Talagang medyo nag-alala po ang pamilya. After one day na nasa hospital, as expected, meron namang magandang pagbabago sa kanyang condition,” he said.

(He’s awake and talks [to people] today. Yesterday, he had difficulty talking and was very weak. The family’s really worried. After one day in the hospital, as expected, his condition improved.)

Revilla Jr., on the other hand, remained detained at the PNP Custodial Center in Camp Crame in connection with his alleged involvement with Janet Lim-Napoles’ multibillion pork barrel scam.