Bong Revilla joins six inmates in Quezon City Jail cell

Former Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. has been transferred to the general population of the New Quezon City Jail Male Dormitory, exactly a week after he was committed to the facility.

According to the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, Revilla is sharing a cell with six other persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) who are not connected to the charges related to the anomalous flood control project in Bulacan.

Revilla, along with four of his six co-accused, have completed the mandatory seven-day medical quarantine required for newly admitted PDLs.

They are facing charges of malversation of public funds through the falsification of public documents in connection with the alleged P92.8-million ghost flood-control project in Pandi, Bulacan.

The BJMP said the five were moved on Tuesday to an ordinary cell and are now housed with other inmates.

“Una po nilipat na po silang lima yung dinala sa atin matapos ang kanilang quarantine per our BJMP policy at sila ay nilagay sa general population sa isang ordinaryong selda, kasama ang ibang PDL,” Jail Superintendent Jayrex Bustinera, BJMP spokesperson told GMA Integrated News.

(The five have been transferred after their quarantine according to BJMP policy. They have joined the general population, in ordinary cells with the other PDLs.)

“Ito po yung mga walang kinalaman dito at mga ordinary PDL lang din po na low risk lang din, base sa security assessment, medical assessment at iba-iba pang factors katulad ng legal factors,” Bustinera said. 

(They are with ordinary PDLs, who are not connected to the flood control cases, and who are considered low-risk based on security and medical assessment, as well as other factors such as legal.)

Revilla’s four co-accused, including former district assistant engineers Brice Hernandez and Jaypee Mendoza, were likewise placed with other low-risk PDLs who are not linked to the case.

According to the BJMP, Revilla and his four co-accused in the ghost flood control project in Pandi, Bulacan, and the seven inmates earlier jailed over the P289-million substandard flood control project in Naujan, Oriental Mindoro are currently housed in separate cells.

BJMP officials said that heightened security measures remain in place due to the high-profile nature of the case.

“Naghihigpit tayo hindi dahil sa VIP treatment kundi dahil sa nature ng case, high profile at kailangan din walang mangyari o sinisiguro natin walang mangyari sa lahat habang nasa custody ng BJMP.” Bustinera said. 

(Tighter measures are in place, not because of VIP treatment, but because of the nature of the case. It's a high-profile case and we have to make sure nothing untoward happens while they are in the custody of the BJMP.) 

Before the transfer, Revilla received another visit from family members and close friends, led by his wife, Cavite 2nd District Representative Lani Mercado, and their sons, Cavite 1st District Rep. Jolo Revilla and AGIMAT Party-list Rep. Bryan Revilla.

Asked if the family had concerns now that Revilla is part of the general population, Mercado said they are relying on prayer.

“We’re praying that he will be safe,” Mercado said. 

When asked if Revilla has been eating and sleeping well, Mercado replied in the affirmative.

Bryan Revilla, meanwhile, said the family continues to cope with the situation.

“All I can say is he is coping... Right now we are staying strong as a family. It’s also hard for me to express how I really feel because it’s a hard position to be in right now,” the younger Revilla said. 

Also visiting the former senator were his sister, former Antipolo Mayor Andrea Bautista-Ynares, and longtime friend Niño Muhlach, who said he brought ensaymada for Revilla.

“He’s ok. He’s good. Wala naman pong sinabi pero malungkot po siya. Kahit sino naman basta ikulong,” Muhlach said. 

Revilla and his co-accused remain detained at the Quezon City Jail as their cases continue before the Sandiganbayan. –NB, GMA Integrated News