Jolo's condition 'life-threatening,' says lawyer

MANILA, Philippines - The condition of Cavite Vice Gov. Jolo Revilla is "life-threatening," the lawyer of the local official's father, detained Sen. Ramon "Bong" Revilla Jr., said Tuesday.

"Continuous bleeding in the chest cavity coming from trauma on lungs... Blood in the chest cavity is always life-threatening," lawyer Ramon Esguerra said, quoting doctors attending to the younger Revilla at the Asian Hospital and Medical Center in Muntilupa City.

Esguerra said a total of 700 cubic centimeters of blood have been extracted from Jolo's lungs since his operation on Sunday.

The vice governor, who is also an actor, was rushed to the hospital on Saturday after accidentally shooting himself with a gun that he was cleaning.

There are speculations that the vice governor attempted to commit suicide because of depression caused by his father's continuous detention.

"Continuous internal bleeding is life-threatening in an uncontrolled environment, serious in a controlled setting like a hospital even if vitals signs are stable," the lawyer added.

The Sandiganbayan has allowed the senator to leave detention and stay with his son from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m.

The senator was expected to leave the Philippine National Police headquarters in Camp Crame at 2 p.m.

The elder Revilla is currently detained on graft and plunder charges for his supposed involvement in the multi-billion pork barrel fund scam. - reports from Christina Mendez