MANILA, Philippines – Detained Sens. Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada and Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. separately sought furloughs from the Sandiganbayan to go to the wake of the late actor German “Germs” Moreno in Quezon City.
Moreno, 82, passed away on Friday morning due to cardiac arrest. His wake is at Mt. Carmel, Quezon City but will be transferred to GMA 7 Network Studio EDSA corner Timog Avenue Diliman, Quezon City on January 13 for the necrological service.
Estrada on Monday filed an urgent motion for a three-hour pass before the Sandiganbayan Fifth Division. He requested to be granted a furlough from 7 to 10 p.m. on January 12 to pay respect to Moreno.
In his motion, Estrada cited that aside from being a public servant, he is also a movie actor who was close to Moreno. He also reasoned out that attending the late entertainer's wake is a Christian and Catholic’s obligation.
“As part of the movie industry and public servant, accused movant was especially close and would like to pay his final respects,” Estrada’s urgent motion read.
On the other hand, Revilla separately asked the Sandiganbayan court for furlough on Friday. Unlike Estrada, Revilla wants a five hour pass from 3 to 8 p.m. to attend the wake preferably on January 12 or 13 in either Mt. Carmel Church or GMA 7 Network Studio.
Revilla said the late Moreno was his close friend and second father. He also added that Moreno visited him in his detention on Christmas day despite his “failing health.”
He said he respects the court which also allowed him to visit his son, Cavite Vice Gov. Ramon "Jolo" Revilla III and father, Sen. Ramon Revilla Sr., last year.
Both senators are currently detained at the Philippine National Custodial Center in Camp Crame for plunder charges related to the pork barrel scam. They are hopeful that they will be released from detention and be allowed to post bail after Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile was allowed to post bail.
Moreno will be laid to rest at the Loyola Memorial Park, Marikina City on Thursday, January 14.