Sandiganbayan denies Bong Revilla’s request to attend Kuya Germs’ wake

The Sandiganbayan First Division on Tuesday denied the motion of Sen. Ramon Bong Revilla Jr. to leave his detention for five hours to attend the wake of entertainment industry patriarch German “Kuya Germs” Moreno.

“After weighing the arguments of the parties, the Court is of the view that the situation presented by the accused could not be considered a special circumstance that deserves exception to the general restriction on a detention prisoner’s rights. Thus the motion is denied,” the First Division said in resolution issued before noon.

In a motion filed on Friday last week, Revilla asked the First Division to allow him to leave his detention for five hours or from 3pm to 8 pm either on January 12 or January 13 to attend Moreno’s wake.

Moreno, also dubbed as the “Master Showman,” passed away on January 7 due to cardiac arrest. He was 82 years old. Moreno’s remains currently lie at Mt. Carmel Church in New Manila, Quezon City.

Not a matter of emergency

In its resolution, the court gave weight on the argument of the prosecution panel that Revilla’s motion cannot be considered a matter of emergency or of “exceptional circumstance” that would warrant his temporary leave from detention unlike when his son Jolo Revilla was rushed to the hospital last year after sustaining gunshot wound on his chest.

In that instance last year, the First Division allowed Revilla to visit his son in the hospital.

The court further gave weight on the prosecution’s position that allowing Revilla to attend Moreno’s wake would involve a serious security risk “considering the large crowd expected in such occasions.”

The First Division also noted of the prosecution’s argument that Revilla’s petition to post bail for his plunder case in connection with his alleged involvement in the pork barrel scam had already been denied by the court and therefore, he can no longer be accorded the full enjoyment of his right as a free man.

Moreno served as godfather of Revilla and wife Cavite Rep. Lani Mercado at their wedding. Revilla also described Moreno as a “second father” and recounted that latter used to visit him frequently ever since he was detained in June 2014. Revilla said Moreno even visited him in his detention last Christmas Day “despite his failing health.”

Revilla is facing plunder and graft charges before the First Division for allegedly amassing million pesos-worth of kickbacks from the pork barrel scam.

Jinggoy plea

Meanwhile, another division of the Sandiganbayan has yet to issue its ruling on a similar motion filed by Sen. Jinggoy Estrada, who is also facing plunder and graft charges in connection with the pork barrel scam.

In his motion, Estrada, also a former movie actor, asked the Sandiganbayan Fifth Division to allow him to attend Moreno’s wake for three hours or from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Tuesday.

The motion was heard Tuesday morning and is expected to be decided by the court anytime soon.

Both Estrada and Revilla are currently detained at the Philippine National Police Custodial Center in Camp Crame, Quezon City. — RSJ, GMA News