Ex-senator Revilla insists son did not kill Ramgen

MANILA, Philippines - Former senator Ramon Revilla Sr. questioned a court decision that declined to grant bail for his son Ramon Joseph Bautista in connection with the murder of his brother, actor Ramgen Revilla.

GMA 7’s Saksi reported that Revilla Sr. believes in Bautista’s innocence and insisted that Bautista had nothing to do with his older brother’s death.

The older Revilla and Bautista were reunited after two years at a Cavite cemetery to commemorate Ramgen’s second death anniversary last Monday.

Bautista, clad in yellow jail uniform, called the former senator “daddy” and kissed him on the forehead, according to a separate GMA 7 report.

Revilla Sr., who is wheelchair-bound, asked why his son had to wear handcuffs. Bautista explained that it was part of the “procedure.”

They sat near Ramgen’s tomb, where Revilla Sr. cried. The siblings’ mother, Genelyn Magsaysay, joined them. Like the former senator, Magsaysay insisted on her son’s innocence.

Last month, Parañaque Regional Trial Court Branch 274 Judge Fortunito Madrona denied bail to Bautista and four other persons accused of murdering Revilla – Ryan Pastera, Glaiza Visda, Norwin dela Cruz, and Michael Nartea.

One of the accused, Roy Francis Tolisora, was allowed to post bail, set at P200,000, after the court found insufficient evidence against him.

Revilla was stabbed and shot to death on Oct. 28, 2011. He was with girlfriend Janelle Manahan when the assassin barged into his room. Manahan was shot in the face twice but survived.

Bautista and his sister, Ramona Bautista, are alleged masterminds in the murder. Ramona remains at large.