No holiday furlough for Bong, Jinggoy

MANILA, Philippines - Detained Sens. Ramon Revilla Jr. and Jinggoy Estrada have failed to convince the Sandiganbayan to give them a Christmas and New Year furlough like former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

Revilla is appealing the First Division’s denial of his petition for bail.

“Christmas will be cold,” he said in Filipino. “But I’m okay.”

He is still hoping that his motion for reconsideration would have a favorable ruling.

“I still believe that we have justice in our country,” he said in Filipino.

He would be vindicated “in God’s time,” Revilla said.

Estrada’s petition for bail is still being heard at the Sandiganbayan.

“Indeed, accused-movant, being a detention prisoner, cannot be allowed the full enjoyment of his rights, be it civil or political, just like all other detention prisoners,” the Sandiganbayan said of his request to be allowed to go home and spend time with his family on Dec. 25 and Dec. 31.

Revilla said he did not file a similar request because of the possible negative public reaction.