Detained Bong Revilla wants to spend Christmas, New Year with family

Detained former senator Ramon "Bong" Revilla Jr. has asked the Sandiganbayan to be allowed to spend Christmas and New Year with his family.

In a three-page petition filed on December 12, Revilla asked the First Division to be allowed to visit his family in Bacoor, Cavite from December 24 to Dec. 25, 2017 and Dec. 31, 2017 to Jan. 1, 2018.

In his petition, Revilla vowed he would not abuse the privilege if his petition is granted.

He said he planned to partake his family's traditions such as "celebrate mass, dine together for Noche Buena and Media Noche, and simply spend time with each other."
Revilla also pertained to the health condition of his father, former senator Ramon Revilla Sr. Revilla was allowed by the court to visit his ailing father last June.

"There is nothing more important for accused Revilla in these trying times than the love and support of his family," the former senator's lawyers said.

Revilla is facing a plunder case before the anti-graft court for his supposed involvement in the multibillion-peso pork barrel scam allegedly masterminded by Janet Lim Napoles.

Favored detainee

In a five-page opposition dated December 13, the prosecution emphasized that acceding to the former senator's request would be granting him a "special privilege" that is not accorded to an ordinary prisoner and would give the impression that he is a "favored detainee."

"While the undersigned prosecutors recognize the importance of spending time with family and loved ones during the Christmas season, our existing laws and jurisprudence militate against the grant of the furlough prayed for," the prosecution said.

The prosecution also cited that Revilla's earlier junked petition for bail and a motion for leave to file a demurrer of evidence due to lack of merit.

"Considering the gravity of the offenses charged against him and the stage of the proceedings, not to mention the magnitude of the amount involved, his motion must not be granted so as not to afford him the opportunity, however remote, to escape incarceration," the prosecution team said.

The prosecution cited Alejano vs. Cabuay wherein the Supreme Court stated that "the fact that detainees are confined makes their rights more limited that those of the public."

"No less important, if this Honorable Court accedes to accused Revilla's request, it will grant him a special privilege that is not accorded to an ordinary prisoner and unduly create an impression to the public that accused Revilla, being a high-ranking official, is favoured detainee," they said.

The comment was signed by Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) Deputy Special Prosecutor Manuel Soriano, Jr., along with Assistant Special Prosecutor III Mariter Delfin-Santos OSP acting director, Assistant Special Prosecutor III and OSP acting director Reza Casila-Derayunan, Assistant Special Prosecutor II Lyn Dimayuga,  Assistant Special Prosecutor II Marichelle Corpuz,  and Assistant Special Prosecutor II Adonis Laure. —Margaret Claire Layug/ALG, GMA News