THE Sandiganbayan Third Division on Tuesday ordered the temporary detention of former senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. at the Quezon City Jail Male Dormitory.
The order stems from a malversation case filed by the Ombudsman last Friday against Revilla and six others over an alleged P92.8-million ghost flood control project in Pandi, Bulacan.
Sandiganbayan Third Division chairperson Associate Justice Karl Miranda explained that the PNP Custodial Center in Camp Crame, where Revilla initially surrendered, is designed for suspected terrorists, suspects charged with heinous crimes, or those prone to escape. He said adding a high-risk detainee like Revilla would be “a burden on the part of the PNP” due to extra manpower and financial needs.
“The court will sign the order of commitment for the meantime for the accused Ramon ‘Bong’ Revilla, Jr., to be held at the BJMP Quezon City Jail Male Dormitory,” Miranda said, adding that Revilla “shall not be moved, removed, transferred, or otherwise released unless ordered by the court.”
Revilla’s detention is temporary, pending a motion from his camp to transfer him to the PNP Custodial Center. The anti-graft court is set to hear this motion on Friday, Jan. 23.
Revilla surrendered Monday night to the PNP-CIDG in Camp Crame following the Sandiganbayan’s issuance of a warrant of arrest and hold departure order.
