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Sandiganbayan denies Bong Revilla's furlough bid to attend brother's wake
Philippines
National
Sandiganbayan denies Bong Revilla's furlough bid to attend brother's wake
Sandiganbayan denies Bong Revilla's furlough bid to attend brother's wake
By Jel Santos
Published Jul 7, 2026 02:51 pm
At A Glance
- In a resolution dated June 26, the anti-graft court rejected Revilla's request to personally visit the wake of his brother, Jojo Manungas Bautista, in Imus, Cavite, for at least four hours on June 27 or 28 while under the custody of Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) personnel.
(SANTI SAN JUAN/ MB FILE PHOTO)
The Sandiganbayan Third Division has denied the urgent motion of former senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. for a temporary furlough to attend the wake of his late brother, ruling that there was no sufficient legal basis to grant his temporary release from detention.
In a resolution dated June 26, the anti-graft court rejected Revilla’s request to personally visit the wake of his brother, Jojo Manungas Bautista, in Imus, Cavite, for at least four hours on June 27 or 28 while under the custody of Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) personnel.
Revilla had likewise sought permission to wear civilian mourning clothes during the visit.
“This court deeply commiserates with accused Revilla and his family during this period of profound grief and bereavement. The death of a close family member is indeed a sorrowful event,” the Sandiganbayan said.
“Nevertheless, the court’s duty is to determine whether the requested relief is authorized by law and consistent with the court’s obligation to ensure the accused’s continued custody and the orderly administration of justice,” it added.
(SANTI SAN JUAN/ MB FILE PHOTO)
The anti-graft court’s Third Division said the recognized grounds for the temporary release of an accused from physical custody “are strictly limited to bail and recognizance.”
“Consequently, there is no law or rule that grants an accused the right to a furlough,” the resolution read.
Citing Supreme Court jurisprudence, the Third Division said requests for temporary leave from detention must involve emergency or compelling circumstances and be evaluated based on the nature of the charge, security implications, the risk of escape, the adequacy of escort arrangements, and the overarching interest of justice.
“The situation presented by accused Revilla could not be considered an emergency or a compelling circumstance that warrants an exception to the general rules imposed on a detained accused,” the anti-graft court said.
The court added that while the loss of a sibling is “a distinct tragedy,” Revilla’s justification did not rise to the level of an exceptional ground to override its primary duty of maintaining secure custody over the accused, particularly considering the seriousness of the charges against him.
(JEL SANTOS/MB FILE PHOTO)
As such, the Third Division said granting the request would strain the BJMP’s security resources and “would also unduly create an impression on the public that accused, being a former high-ranking public official, is a favored detainee over and above other similarly situated detainees.”
Instead of granting a furlough, the Sandiganbayan said Revilla may, subject to the approval of detention authorities, receive visits from immediate bereaved family members, participate virtually in religious services or memorial rites if facilities are available, or communicate with family members through means permitted under detention rules.
“Consequently, much as this court genuinely sympathizes with the accused’s plight, it finds no sufficient basis to grant the requested furlough,” the resolution stated.
“ACCORDINGLY, the Urgent Motion for Furlough dated June 26, 2026 filed by accused Ramon Bautista Bong Revilla, Jr., on even date is hereby DENIED for lack of merit.”
Revilla, who is facing graft and malversation charges before the Sandiganbayan, is currently detained at New Quezon City Jail in Payatas.
The former senator and his co-accused were charged in connection with the alleged anomalous implementation of a P92.8-million flood-control project in Pandi, Bulacan.