Bong barred from attending Kuya Germs’s wake

MANILA, Philippines – The anti-graft court’s first division on Tuesday denied detained Sen. Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr.’s request to attend the wake of late actor German “Germs” Moreno.

The Sandiganbayan First Division composed of Chair Efren dela Cruz, Associate Justices, Rafael Lagos and Rodolfo Ponferrada resolved to deny the plea of Revilla filed on January 8, asking permission to attend Moreno’s wake as it was not considered a special circumstance that demand his presence.

“After weighing the arguments of the parties, the Court is of the view of the situation presented by the accused could not be considered a special circumstance that deserves exception to the general restrictions on a detention prisoner’s rights. Thus, the motion is DENIED,” the Sandiganbayan First Division’s resolution read.

The division did not allow Revilla to attend the wake due to the following reasons: “(Revilla) is in detention because of non-bailable offense, and the court has already denied his petition for bail, the event he seeks to attend is not an exceptional circumstance comparable to the hospitalization of his son and most importantly, the security risk involved, considering the large crowd expected in such occasions.”

Revilla earlier sought for a five-hour furlough from 3 to 8 p.m. either on January 12,, 2016 at Mt. Carmel Church or on Jan. 13, 2015 at the GMA 7 Network Center, both in Quezon City to attend Moreno's wake.

Another detained senator, Jose "Jinggoy" Estrada likewise asked the court's permission to go to the wake of Moreno but the resolution has yet to be released.

READ: Jinggoy, Bong ask Sandiganbayan to attend Kuya Germs's wake

The senator is currently detained at the Philippine National Custodial Center in Camp Crame for plunder charges related to the pork barrel scam.