Metro Manila, Philippines – Former Sen. Bong Revilla will remain detained at the jail facility for the accused in the flood control scandal, as the Sandiganbayan Third Division denied his motion to be transferred to another detention facility.
The resolution promulgated on Feb. 5 rejected Revilla’s bid to be transferred to the Philippine National Police (PNP) custodial center at Camp Crame in Quezon City for lack of merit.
This means, Revilla will stay at the New Quezon City Jail Male Dormitory, the designated detention facility for the accused in the multi-billion peso flood control scam.
He is facing graft and non-bailable malversation charges, in connection to the alleged non-existent P92.8 million flood control project in Bulacan.
“From the foregoing, there is no basis for the Revilla’s claims of harm, harassment, and threat to his person that would warrant a transfer of his custody to any PNP custodial facility,” the resolution read.
The court noted that both the designated male and female dormitories have negative congestion rates.
The male dormitory currently has 3,621 inmates – enough for a facility that can accommodate 4,440 detainees.
The Sandiganbayan said the jail superintendent assured them that there were no recorded riots or untoward incidents, in light of Revilla’s concern that he might be subjected to gang-related violence.
The third division justices visited the two detention facilities on Jan. 23.
“As to the male dormitory, the court is convinced that the jail’s security measures are sufficient for the safekeeping of Revilla and the other accused. Jail visitors are strictly subjected to security checks prior to entering the designated visitor’s lounge,” the resolution read.
Similarly, the court also denied the motion for continued detention of accused Emelita Juat, a Department of Public Works and Highways engineer, at the Bulacan Police Provincial Jail.
NewsWatch Plus has reached out to Revilla’s camp for comment.
Motion to quash case denied
Meanwhile, the anti-graft court dismissed Revilla’s motion to defer the issuance of the arrest warrant against him for lack of merit.
“The motions for the deferment of the issuance of warrant of arrest filed by Revilla and Juanito Mendoza are already moot and academic considering that this court has already issued warrants of arrest against all the accused, and they have all been taken into custody,” the resolution read.
The Sandiganbayan also said the information against them sufficiently alleges the ultimate facts constituting the offense, in rejecting Revilla and Mendoza’s motion to quash the case.
“It should be underscored that Revilla and Juanito Mendoza are charged as co-conspirators. Consequently, the question of whether they are accountable officers for purposes of the crime of malversation is not material. This is because, in conspiracy, the act of one is the act of all,” the anti-graft court said.
“Clearly, the factual allegations stated in the Information sufficiently constitute the elements of the offense charged against the accused. Whether the accused are indeed accountable officers is a matter that must be established during trial,” it added.
Mendoza’s motion to consolidate his graft and malversation cases to speed up trial were denied as the court said it may further delay proceedings.
