After Estrada bail, Revilla praying for own release

MANILA- Former Sen. Ramon "Bong" Revilla Jr. on Tuesday said he is praying for his own release after his friend, former Sen. Jinggoy Estrada, was granted temporary liberty Saturday while on trial for alleged involvement in the "pork barrel" scam.

“I’m praying for it. Siyempre, iba-ibang dibisyon 'yan, panalangin ko sana makuha ko rin,” Revilla told reporters on the sidelines of the hearing of his plunder case in connection with his alleged role in the multi-billion peso Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) scam.

Estrada and Revilla were arrested on PDAF-related charges in 2014, along with former Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile, who was released on bail in 2015. The three were detained at the Custodial Center in Camp Crame, Quezon City.

Estrada, who was released Saturday after posting a P1.33-million bail for plunder and graft charges, earlier said he hopes that Revilla would follow suit.

"Palakasin niya (Revilla) loob niya. Balang araw ay makakamit din niya ang kaniyang kalayaan," Estrada told reporters at the Sandiganbayan moments after his release.

• READ: Jinggoy hopeful Bong Revilla will be released next

Revilla's lawyer Estelito Mendoza had earlier told reporters that his legal team might file another plea for his release.

Revilla, however, said his camp is still finalizing their decision on the matter.

“Actually, hinihintay ko pa rin ang desisyon ng aking mga lawyers, so we’ll see,” he said.

Revilla is on trial for allegedly amassing P224.5-million in kickbacks from ghost projects purportedly funded by his PDAF.