The Sandiganbayan has denied a request from former Senator Ramon “Bong” B. Revilla, Jr. to temporarily release him from custody to attend the wake of his brother.
The court's Third Division ruled that no law grants a detained accused the right to a furlough and that the circumstances presented do not justify an exception.
The former senator sought permission to leave the New Quezon City Jail Male Dormitory, under the custody of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP), to attend the wake of his late brother, Jojo Manungas Bautista, in Imus, Cavite, for at least four hours on June 27 or 28.
The court said it sympathized with Mr. Revilla and his family but stressed that it must determine whether the relief sought is authorized by law and consistent with its duty to ensure the accused's continued custody.
Citing the Rules of Criminal Procedure and Supreme Court jurisprudence, the Third Division said the recognized grounds for an accused's temporary release are limited to bail and recognizance.
The court added that while the Supreme Court has considered humanitarian grounds in granting temporary release through bail, there is "no law or rule" granting an accused the right to a furlough.
The Third Division also cited security concerns, saying granting the request would require significant BJMP resources and could create the impression that Mr. Revilla, a former high-ranking public official, was receiving preferential treatment over similarly situated detainees.
Instead, the court said detention authorities may allow Mr. Revilla to receive visits from immediate family members, participate virtually in memorial rites if facilities permit, or communicate with relatives through authorized means.
Mr. Revilla's petition for bail in the non-bailable malversation case involving the alleged P92.8-million "ghost" flood control project in Pandi, Bulacan remains pending.
He has separately posted bail in the related graft case.
