By Christopher Lloyd Caliwan/PNA
MANILA — Former senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. on Friday underwent a medical examination before being released from the Philippine National Police (PNP) Custodial Center in Camp Crame in Quezon City, PNP spokesperson, Chief Supt. Benigno Durana said.
Durana said they are still waiting for the release order of Revilla, who was earlier acquitted by the Sandiganbayan of plunder charges after the prosecution failed to pin him down in connection with the multi-billion-peso Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) or “pork barrel” fund scam.
Revilla, along with his family, lawyers and supporters arrived at the PNP custodial center at 11:30 a.m. after the promulgation of his case in Quezon City.
Doctors from PNP Crime Laboratory said Revilla is in high spirits. His blood pressure is normal but has a swollen right wrist, which was sprained during boxing exercise.
Revilla posted a PHP480,000 bail for the 16 counts of graft before the Clerk of Court of the Sandiganbayan First Division.
He is expected to go home to their house in Bacoor City, Cavite later.
Revilla was detained in 2014, along with former senators Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada and Juan Ponce Enrile. who were also charged with plunder.
The Office of the Ombudsman filed the plunder case against the three before the Sandiganbayan on June 5, 2014.
Estrada, who was with Revilla after the promulgation, said his close friend’s acquittal gives him hope that he will also be exonerated of the charges against him.
“Siguro unti-unti nang nalalaman ng taumbayan na medyo napagkaisahan lang kami in the previous administration (Probably the public would realize that we were singled out in the previous administration),” Estrada told reporters in interview in Camp Crame.
He said he is also happy for his friend who will be finally released from jail.
“Sino ba naman di magiging masaya (Who wouldn’t be happy) after four years and five months behind bars…ngayon na siya makakalabas (now he’s a free man). He is in a happy mood,” Estrada said.
