Jinggoy appeals to Sandiganbayan: Let Bong see his son

Detained Senator Jinggoy Estrada on Monday appealed to the Sandiganbayan to allow his fellow detainee Senator Ramon Bong Revilla Jr. to visit Revilla’s son Jolo, who is confined at a hospital after sustaining a gunshot wound to the upper chest.

“We are deeply saddened by what happened to the son of Senator Revilla, si [Cavite] Vice Governor Jolo. I hope Sandiganbayan First Division will grant the request of Sen. Revilla to visit his son, kahit mamaya,” Estrada said.

The two senators are currently detained at the PNP Custodial Center in Camp Crame in connection with the alleged pork barrel scam.

In a chance interview with reporters following his bail hearing, Estrada said it was he who informed Revilla of the incident regarding Jolo Revilla.

“Actually, ako yung nagsabi. Of course, nagulat. He didn’t expect na gagawa ng ganun 'yung kaniyang anak,” he said.

Earlier reports said the gunshot wound the younger Revilla sustained was self -inflicted and that he has been troubled since his father’s detention. However, the Revilla family clarified that Jolo’s gun went off when he was cleaning it.

Still, Estrada said Revilla should be allowed by the court to visit his son, who is confined at the Asian Hospital and Medical Center where he underwent a surgery and is now in stable condition.

“Nagmamakaawa ako, I’m appealing to the Sandiganbayn to allow him to visit his son. Araw-araw, lagi namumugto ang mga mata niya, he’s really worried about his son. Ako, tatay din ako, naiintindihan ko 'yun. I wouldn’t want to be in his shoes,” he said.

Earlier in the day, Revilla’s lawyers filed a motion asking the court to allow him three hours to visit his son at the hospital. —KBK, GMA News