‘Bong’ asks Sandigan to let him attend daughter’s debut

Detained Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. has asked the Sandiganbayan First Division to allow him to attend the coming-out party of his daughter Ma. Fraznel Loudette this Saturday.

“As a father, Senator Revilla wishes to perform his obligation and be part of Loudette’s special day,” read the motion filed by his lawyers.

Revilla’s counsels asked the graft court permit the senator to be at her daughter’s 18th birthday party that will be held at the Bellevue Hotel in Alabang, Muntinlupa City from 7 to 10 p.m.

“As part of the family-oriented Filipino culture, during Loudette’s 18th birthday, her parents would present her to society as a young lady coming of age and formally turning into an adult,” they explained.

“It is a tradition which daughters and their families prepare for, look forward to, and treasure for the rest of their lives,” the lawyers added.

Revilla is currently detained at the Philippine National Police (PNP) Custodial Center in Camp Crame and has been denied bail by the First Division.

The senator is facing one count of plunder and 16 counts of graft in connection with Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) scam.

The trial of Revilla could start next year as the graft court reset the pretrial of the cases for February 4.

The anti-graft court decided to push the pre-trial by next year after learning that the prosecution and defense lawyers have not yet finished marking all of the evidence that they intend to present during the trial.

First Division Chairman Efren dela Cruz.ordered that the preliminary conference where the markings are done be conducted twice a week every Wednesday and Friday starting last October 2. (Jeffrey G. Damicog)