Sandiganbayan sends Bong Revilla temporarily to QC Jail

The Sandiganbayan Special Third Division on Tuesday ordered the temporary detention of ex-senator Ramon Bong Revilla. Jr. at the Quezon City Jail Male Dormitory in Barangay Payatas.

The anti-graft court's order stemmed from the malversation case filed Friday by the Ombudsman against Revilla and six others over an alleged P92.8-million ghost flood control project in Pandi, Bulacan. 

Sandiganbayan Special Third Division chairperson and Associate Justice Karl Miranda justified the court's decision by citing the letter of Philippine National Police (PNP) acting chief Jose Nartatez Jr. cautioning the anti-graft court from further ordering the detention of persons deprived of liberty inside the PNP Custodial Center in Camp Crame.

The PNP Custodial Center is a facility where suspected terrorists, suspects most likely to escape, and suspects charged with heinous crimes are detained, making the addition of a high-risk detainee like Revilla "a burden on the part of the PNP" because of the additional financial and manpower resources it entails.

Revilla's detention, however, is temporary since his camp filed a motion for him to be detained at the PNP Custodial Center. 

The anti-graft court will hear Revilla's motion on Friday, January 23.

The Sandiganbayan Third Division on Monday issued a warrant of arrest and a hold departure order against Revilla and six others.

Revilla surrendered on Monday night to the PNP-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) in Camp Crame.

Before his surrender, Revilla expressed frustration over the Sandiganbayan Third Division’s issuance of an arrest warrant and hold departure order (HDO) against him.

“Nakakalungkot po parang wala yatang due process. Pero ganun pa man, haharapin ko ito nang walang takot at alam kong hindi ako pababayaan ng Diyos dahil wala akong kasalanan dito,” he said in a video statement while riding a vehicle.

(I am said that there seems to be no due process. Even so, I will face this without fear and I know that the Lord will not abandon me because I am innocent.)

The former senator also asked for prayers for himself and his family.

Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla said Tuesday no special treatment will be given to Revilla. —KG, GMA Integrated News