Lani Mercado on Jolo Revilla, Jodi Sta Maria

MANILA, Philippines – A week after Cavite Vice Governor Jolo Revilla was shot in the chest, his mother, Cavite congresswoman Lani Mercado, talked about her son’s improved condition, thanking everyone for their prayers.  

In an interview with Startalk on Saturday, March 7, she said, “Nagpapasalamat din pala si Jolo at buong pamilya namin sa mga taong nananalangin – maraming salamat po, since this happened a week ago. Malaking bagay yung pananalangin niyo sa kanya.” 

(Jolo and our whole family want to thank the people who prayed – thank you so much, since this happened a week ago. Your prayers did wonders for him.)

Although Jolo’s condition still needs to improve, Lani said her son can now walk. “Jolo’s condition is improving. We are waiting for the doctor’s orders for the chest tube in his right rib to be taken out. This was installed due to the bleeding. Kailangan pa rin namin ang inyong mga dasal for his full recovery.” (We still need your prayers for his full recovery.) 

Jolo’s girlfriend, actress Jodi Sta. Maria, has also been with Jolo through the ordeal, silencing rumors that she and Jolo were not on good terms. “Nandito naman si Jodi at nakasubaybay kay Jolo. Nag-aalaga naman kaming lahat kay Jolo, so I think they’re okay. Wala namang problema sa kanilang dalawa. They support each other, lalo na sa mga ganung sitwasyon na kailangan ni Jolo ng suporta at pagmamahal,” said Lani. 

(Jodi is here anyway and watching over Jolo. We’re all taking care of him so I think they’re okay. There’s no problem between the two of them. They support each other, especially in that kind of a situation where Jolo needs support and love.)

Statements on the reason behind the accidental shooting came from both talent manager Lolit Solis and family spokesperson, lawyer Raymond Fortun.  

Emotional baggage

Solis first spoke about Jolo’s emotional struggle, saying that his being upset might be connected with the detention of Senator Bong Revilla. The senator was recently detained for his involvement in the multi-million-peso pork barrel scam. 

“Basta alam ko…maraming dinadala sa dibdib ‘yang is Jolo. Kitang-kita mo talagang upset o talagang emotionally – parang mahina yung emosyon,” she said in a statement to GMA News. 

(All I know is Jolo has a lot of emotional baggage. It is clear that he is upset – like he’s emotionally weak.)

Although rumors of Jolo attempting to commit suicide surfaced, Fortun refuted them, saying that the shooting was merely accidental. 

Lani on Bong

The senator, who is currently detained in Camp Crame, was recently allowed to visit his son in the hospital, where they shared an emotional moment together. (READ: Edu Manzano feels for friend Bong Revilla as son Jolo ‘deteriorates’)

In a separate interview on February 26, the congresswoman said that she tries to be strong for the family, but that she can’t help the instances when she breaks down in front of her senator-husband. “May times ako na umiiyak sa kanya, pero never ko pa siyang nakitang lumuha sa kaharapan ko. Siguro he would keep things to himself.” 

(There are times when I cry to him, but I have never seen him shed a tear in front of me. Maybe he would keep things to himself.)

She struggled to finish the interview, even saying she wanted to stop, but she continued to talk about a tender moment between her and her husband. “‘Pag hinahatid ako sa gates sa Crame, ‘yung yakap at yung ‘I love you,’ ‘yun ang mahalaga.” 

(When I am brought to the gates of Crame, the embrace and the words ‘I love you’ – those are the most important things.) – Rappler.com