Bong Revilla visits sick dad in hospital

MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) – Detained Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr visited his ailing father, former senator Ramon Revilla Sr on Tuesday, July 14, after the anti-graft court Sandiganbayan granted his request for a 5-hour furlough.

Revilla Sr, 88, is currently confined at the St Luke’s Medical Center in Taguig City, and is suffering from pneumonia and dehydration, the family’s spokesperson lawyer Raymond Fortun said on Sunday, July 12.

The younger Revilla, who is currently detained in Camp Crame over plunder and graft charges in connection with the pork barrel scam, arrived at the hospital shortly before 3 pm.

Early Tuesday, the Sandiganbayan’s First Division allowed the senator to visit his father from 3 pm to 8 pm. 

In a statement, the detained senator thanked the Sandiganbayan for its “humane” act of granting his request, adding that his father “lit up” at the sight of his son.

“Dahil sa pagkakataong ibinigay ninyo sa akin, nakita ko ang kaligayahan sa mukha ng aking ama. Nasulyapan ko ang ngiti sa mga labi niya. Nabanaagan ko ang bahagyang pagbabalik ng lakas niya at ganang kumain. Para sa isang anak, napakalaking bagay po nito,” he said.

(Because of this opportunity to visit my father, I saw the happiness on his face, the smile on his lips. I saw a faint glimpse of his strength and appetite returning. This means a lot for me as a son.)

Revilla also thanked the public for their prayers and messages of support for his family.

“Dumaraan po kami sa matinding pagsubok na hindi kayang pasanin ng isang tao sa pamamagitan ng sariling lakas lamang. Humuhugot po kami ng lakas mula sa inyong mga dasal, at pakikiisa sa amin sa mga sandaling ito,” he said.

(We are going through a difficult challenge that one person cannot endure on his own. We draw strength from your prayers, and your sympathies during this difficult time.)

This is Revilla’s second furlough from detention. In March, the detained senator was also allowed to leave his detention cell to visit his son, Cavite Vice Governor Jolo Revilla, who was confined at a hospital in Muntinlupa City for a gunshot wound. – Rappler.com