Sandiganbayan justices inspect jail facility of Bong Revilla, others in flood mess

Justices of the Sandiganbayan inspected the Quezon City Jail Male Dormitory shortly before noon on Friday to assess detention conditions and security arrangements for former Senator Ramon Bong Revilla Jr. and his co-accused in the alleged flood control project anomalies.

The convoy of Sandiganbayan vehicles arrived at the jail facility carrying magistrates who personally inspected the cells where Revilla and the other accused are being detained.

Also included in the inspection were the detention areas of Revilla’s co-accused: former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Bulacan Assistant District Engineer Brice Hernandez; former DPWH Bulacan 1st District Engineers Jaypee Mendoza and Arjay Domasig; and former Finance Section Chief and accountant Juanito Mendoza. 

They, along with former DPWH Bulacan Engr. Emelita Juat and DPWH Bulacan First District Engineering Office cashier Christina Pineda, are facing charges of malversation through the falsification of documents and graft charges over the alleged P92.8-million ghost flood control project in Pandi, Bulacan. 

Among those who led the inspection were Sandiganbayan Third Division Chair Associate Justice Karl Miranda, Third Division Member Associate Justice Ronald Moreno, and newly appointed Sandiganbayan Associate Justice Hans Chester Tiu Nocom. They were accompanied by Jail Warden Maria Lourdes Pacion and other officials of the detention facility.

The inspection focused primarily on determining whether there was merit to former Senator Revilla’s security concerns cited in his request to be transferred to a Philippine National Police (PNP) custodial facility.

According to Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) spokesperson Jail Superintendent Jayrex Bustinera, there was no basis seen so far to justify the former senator’s concern.

“Wala naman po kami nakikitang basehan at karapatan naman po ng bawat bilanggo na mag-request kung saan nila gustong ma-detain at kung papayag po ang korte. Sa parte ng BJMP, we assured them that this is a secured facility, bago, modernong facility at mas makatao nga,” Bustinera said.

(We don't see any basis, and it is the right of every detainee to request where they want to be detained, subject to the decision of the court. On the part of the BJMP, we assured them that this is a secured facility; it is a new and modern facility and even more humane.) 

BJMP officials also emphasized that stricter security measures are already in place inside the jail facility.

“Una po, limited ang movement ng lahat ng PDL (persons deprived of liberty). They are divided into cell blocks per floor, per level at bawat floor ay may mga control gates. We have approximately 200 employees per shift or jail personnel per shift na nakatutok per cell blocks. We have additional employees or personnel na dedicated for escort duties kapag sila ay lalabas ng kulungan (when they are outside the jail) with the Quezon City Police District sa perimeter security.” Bustinera said.

(First of all, the movements of all PDL are limited. They are divided into cell blocks per floor, per level, and each floor has control gates. We have approximately 200 employees per shift or jail personnel per shift who are assigned to focus on the cell blocks.))

BJMP added that 24/7 CCTV cameras are installed throughout the entire jail facility, and that body-worn cameras for jail guards are expected to arrive soon.

The magistrates also checked whether congestion remains an issue at the facility, similar to the old Quezon City Jail.

“Definitely wala pong congestion diyan (there is no congestion there). Under the rated capacity pa ho. It’s rated for more than 5,000. We have 3,600 plus ngayon (now).” Bustinera added.

Aside from the detention cells, the inspection also covered other facilities used by PDLs, including medical and operational areas.

“Katulad ng infirmary para tignan kung may sapat na kakayanan sa pangkalusugan, training rooms, livelihood area, mga inner dormitories at mga selda ng general population natin. And then mga facilities for telehearing, online hearing, na-check din nila, kitchen at mga office and records office.” Bustinera said.

(The infirmary for instance was inspected to see if it is able to meet health needs, and also the training rooms, livelihood area, inner dormitories, and cells of our general population. And then the facilities for telehearing, online hearing, they checked those too, as well as the kitchen, the offices, and records office.)

The inspection lasted for around two hours. The convoy of Sandiganbayan vehicles exited the facility shortly before 2 p.m. The inspecting officials declined to issue any statement to the media.

BJMP said the overall feedback from the magistrates was favorable.

“Generally positive naman ang feedback regarding sa situation ng jail natin, hitsura ng jail at yung security measures na inilagay natin.” Bustinera said.

(Generally, the feedback is positive regarding our jail situation, its appearance, and security measures in place.)

During court proceedings, the magistrates also directed the jail warden to personally ensure the security of former Senator Revilla. The warden confirmed that Revilla is currently detained alone in a cell, while his four co-accused are sharing another cell.

When asked why the four accused were separated from Revilla, BJMP cited coordination made by their respective legal counsels.

“According to the warden, there have been coordinations made by the lawyers of yung apat na flood control accused natin, yung DPWH, on hesitance to join. Na umalis na doon, kumbaga paghiwalayin sila. Dahil according to the warden, it was coordinated to her na sila daw po kasi yung nag, ano, because of their statements implicating the former senator, eh, ayaw po nila kung magsama-sama po sa selda. Nakita naman po may merito naman.” Bustinera said.

(According to the warden, there was coordination made by the lawyers of the four accused in the flood control case, the DPWH, on their hesitance to join, that they be separated instead. The warden said it was coordinated because of their statements implicating the former senator. They don't want to be put together in one cell. They saw that there was merit in the request.)

Based on the Sandiganbayan’s ruling, former Senator Revilla will remain detained at the Quezon City Jail Male Dormitory for now. He was returned to the facility aboard an air-conditioned BJMP bus together with his co-accused.

After completing the mandatory seven-day quarantine period, Revilla and his four co-accused are expected to be returned to the general population. However, BJMP noted that the four accused may no longer be housed together with the former senator.

There were no visitors allowed at the Quezon City Jail Male Dormitory on the day of the inspection due to scheduled disinfection activities inside the facility.

Camp Karingal

After inspecting the male dormitory, the magistrates also proceeded to the female dormitory at Camp Karingal, where the female co-accused in the Pandi, Bulacan flood control project scam are currently detained.

“With the same intent to inspect the readiness and security ng female dormitory natin, nagpunta rin po sila after the male dorm. At nakita naman din po na handa rin naman ang facility. Zero congestion din po kasi yung female dormitory natin.” Bustinera said.

(After checking the male dorm, they also went to the female dormitory with the same intent to inspect its readiness and security. And they saw that the facility is ready. It's also zero congestion in the female dormitory.) —LDF/KG, GMA Integrated News