Sandiganbayan denies Bong Revilla's bid to attend half-brother's wake

The Sandiganbayan Third Division has denied former Senator Ramon "Bong" Revilla Jr.'s request for temporary liberty to attend the wake of his half-brother.

In a three-page resolution, the anti-graft court said that while the loss of a sibling is a personal tragedy, Revilla's justification "did not rise to the level of an exceptional ground required to override the court's primary duty of maintaining secure custody over the accused, particularly considering the seriousness of the charges against him."

Revilla identified his late half-brother as Jojo Bautista, whose wake was held at Angelus Eternal Garden Chapel in Barangay Toclong 1-C, Imus, Cavite. The former senator had sought permission to visit the wake on June 27 or 28.

Revilla is currently detained at the Quezon City Jail Male Dormitory in Payatas in connection with a pending malversation case involving him and five other accused over the alleged P92.8-million flood control project in Pandi, Bulacan. According to the Sandiganbayan, an inspection by the Third Division found no physical structure at the project site.

The court also said granting Revilla's request would place additional strain on the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology's security resources, citing the number of personnel required to escort him between the Quezon City Jail and the court.

The Sandiganbayan further said allowing Revilla to attend the wake could create the impression that he was being given preferential treatment over other detainees.

"Alternative means remain available for the accused to express his condolences and participate, albeit indirectly, in the family's observance of mourning. Such considerations further militate against the grant of the extraordinary privilege sought," the court said.— MCG, GMA News