Sandiganbayan denies Bong's plea to attend daughter's debut

MANILA, Philippines - The Sandiganbayan on Friday denied the furlough request of Sen. Ramon "Bong" Revilla Jr. to attend his daughter's 18th birthday on Saturday.

The anti-graft court cited that allowing Revilla to attend a social event is the same as giving him special treatment.

"Considering the gravity of the offense charged against him and the current stage of the proceedings herein, not to mention the amount involved, the Honorable Court must restrict Revilla's movement and a detention prisoner, so as not to afford accused Revilla the opportunity, however remote, to escape from incarceration," the prosecution said.

The court added that the social event is not considered an exceptional circumstance to deviate from a detained prisoner's general limitations.

Revilla filed the petition to be allowed to attend the birthday of his daughter, Loudette, to present her to society "as a young lady coming of age and formally turning into an adult."

The Sandiganbayan earlier granted Revilla's request for dental leave on October 10, 12, 15, 17 and 19.

The senator is currently detained at the Philippine National Police Custodial Center in Camp Crame for the plunder charges filed against him in connection to the pork barrel scam.