Revilla asks Sandigan to allow him to vote

MANILA, Philippines – Detained Sen. Ramon Revilla Jr. has asked the Sandiganbayan to allow him to vote on May 9.

In a motion filed before the first division of the anti-graft court yesterday, Revilla said he still enjoys his right of suffrage as a person presumed innocent until convicted by a final judgment.

Revilla, who is being held at the Philippine National Police custodial center at Camp Crame, was charged with plunder and graft in connection with the pork barrel scam.

He said the Commission on Elections has issued several decisions allowing detainees to vote either through special polling places inside jails or through escorted voting.

Since there is no special polling place at Camp Crame, Revilla said he should be allowed to vote in Bacoor, Cavite.

“Senator Revilla will be accorded the priority to vote and will immediately leave the polling precinct premises after he finished voting,” his lawyers stated in their motion.

Former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo earlier asked the Supreme Court to allow her to leave the Veterans Memorial Medical Center so she can vote in Lubao, Pampanga, where she is a registered voter.

“The Commission on Elections recognizes the rights of prisoners to vote,” she said in a petition filed by her defense lawyers.

Arroyo, who is seeking reelection as representative of the second district of Pampanga, has been under hospital arrest due to a plunder case filed against her two years ago.