No special treatment for Revilla, DILG probe shows

MANILA, Philippines — There is no special treatment being given to former senator Ramon Revilla Jr. at the Quezon city jail male dormitory, based on an investigation conducted by the Department of the Interior and Local Government.

DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla has cleared the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) officials assigned at the facility, including its warden Supt. Maria Lourdes Pacion.

Remulla said he has no reason to replace Pacion after the DILG probe showed Revilla is not receiving special perks inside the jail.

He added that some people might have misinterpreted Pacion’s decision placing Revilla in a separate detention cell from his co-accused, former Department of Public Works officials Brice Hernandez, Arjay Domasig and Juanito Mendoza.

“They saw it as special treatment. But the two were just separated to prevent a fistfight,” Remulla said in Filipino, referring to Revilla and Hernandez.

Hernandez has identified Revilla and other politicians who allegedly received kickbacks from anomalous flood control projects.

The two and several others are facing graft and malversation cases before the Sandiganbayan, in connection with a ghost flood control project worth P92.8 million in Pandi, Bulacan.

There were earlier reports suggesting that Revilla is staying in an air-conditioned room separated from the other inmates.

But Remulla said Revilla is detained in a regular non-airconditioned cell.