New prosecutor to handle Revilla case

A new prosecutor will handle the preliminary investigation of the child abuse case against Princess Revilla, sister of Sen. Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr., filed by her former maid.

Lawyers of Renalyn Arota, 17, sought a new prosecutor after they expressed concern that she would not get a fair hearing. They asked the former prosecutor, Dennis Pastrana, to inhibit himself from the case for allegedly showing “extraordinary preferential treatment” to Revilla. The Pasig Regional Trial Court resumes hearing of the case this month when the new prosecutor, who has yet to be named, will take over.

In a motion filed in August, lawyers Yvonne Gaddi-Festejo and Irene Alogoc said certain acts of Pastrana created “serious doubts in the mind of the complainant as to his impartiality.”

The lawyers said that during the July 14 hearing, for example, the prosecutor allowed Arota’s mother and relatives to participate in the proceedings “despite the fact that they are not parties to the case.”

Arota’s mother allegedly tried to take her daughter forcibly after failing to convince the young girl to drop the case.

Pastrana, the lawyers claimed, did not even attempt to control the situation.

They also said Pastrana changed the time of the July 28 hearing from 2 p.m. to 11 a.m., without informing the complainant and her lawyers.

Pastrana, they said, had their contact numbers and Arota was staying at the Department of Social Work and Development’s Pasig office in a building nearby.

During the hearing, the prosecutor received counter-affidavits of Revilla’s witnesses. Arota, her lawyers said, was deprived the right to confirm the identity of the witnesses.

“With due respect, what transpired in the preliminary investigation on July 28, 2008 created serious doubt in the mind of the complainant as to the impartiality of the Honorable Fiscal,” the lawyers said in their motion.

Arota filed the child abuse case against Revilla in June after allegedly escaping from her former employer’s Valle Verde residence on June 12. She told the police she had been beaten with a broomstick.

She also claimed she was maltreated a number of times and on March 28 and was illegally detained at her employer’s condominium on Roxas Boulevard after she was allegedly mauled.

Revilla denied Arota’s claims in earlier affidavits, adding that the housemaid ceased to be her employee at the end of March.

Bong Revilla appeals for more prayers for his father

Former Senator Ramon Revilla health has improved but is still critical after suffering a stroke Tuesday morning.

His son, Senator Ramon 'Bong' Revilla Jr., said that on a scale of one to ten (ten being the best), her father's condition has improved from 2 to 5 as of Tuesday night.

Revilla said the next three days will be critical for the 81-year-old patriarch of the Revilla clan.

He asked the public to continue praying for his father's recovery.

"Kailangan pa rin ng dasal," said Revilla, who followed his father's successful career from acting to politics.

Revilla said his father is battling his illness as indicated by his response after he told him that he has a new great grandchild, Alexa Daniela del Rosario, who was born Tuesday to parents Inah and Vince del Rosario.

"Napaluha siya...napangiti siya," Revilla said of his father's response.

Bong's daughter, Inah, gave birth at 6:59 p.m. at the Makati Medical Center just hours after her grandfather suffered a stroke.

The Revilla patriarch became senator in 1992 after a long career in the movie industry. He became known as the father of the Public Works Act which was signed into law in 1995.

Senators’ streamers

Politicians who are believed to be aspiring for top national positions in 2010 came. Former Senate President Franklin Drilon joined the Translacion foot procession, while Metropolitan Manila Development Authority Chair Bayani Fernando, Sen. Bong Revilla and Muntinlupa Rep. Rufino Biazon came for the fluvial procession.

Streamers of Senate President Manuel Villar, Sen. Mar Roxas and Sen. Richard Gordon were posted in strategic locations to the annoyance of many residents who commented that the religious celebration was being used for political purposes.

Revilla caused quite a stir when he was allowed to board the barge or “pagoda” carrying the image of the Virgin of Peñafrancia although his name was not on the official list. Only select people, including journalists, from the different parishes of the Archdiocese of Caceres are allowed to ride the barge.

Other issues brought out included the pollution of the Naga River and the supposed P300-million deposit of the archdiocese in the closed Golden 7 Bank. But Fr. Luisito Occiano, spokesperson of the archdiocese, said the church deposit only amounted to P11 million and was mainly reserved for its social involvement activities.

Criticisms also flew that the local church, not just the city government, had been commercializing the religious activity.

Tarpaulins of telecom companies were spread inside the premises of the Naga City Metropolitan Cathedral. Booths from soft drink companies filled the Peñafrancia Basilica and other large churches.

But Msgr. Romulo Vergara, rector of basilica, said the booths were not meant for profit but to cater to the needs of pilgrims. The proceeds will be used for church maintenance, he said.

Minus the controversy, the Peñafrancia fiesta was as colorful as ever. More people joined the fluvial procession. Firework displays after the high Masses lit up the sky for several minutes.

Lani Mercado leads husband's Senator Bong Revilla Jr. bloodletting project

In Time for his husband's birthday, Lani Mercado headed the bloodletting project of Senator Bong Revilla Jr.

"This is our second year of doing this. We had organized same event last year and it turned out well so we decided to do it annually," the Revilla's matriarch said.

The senator celebrated his birthday Wednesday, September 24, 2008.

The bloodletting project is a personal project of Senator Bong in partnership with the different hospitals located in Pasig.

"Anybody who will donate blood will get blood for free," Lani said. "And then, if anybody goes to us and ask for blood we can give it for free."

According to Lani, this project of Senator Bong is an original project of Purposeful Stewardship Institute, a group where Lani is a member.

2010 plans

Last month, Senator Bong convened some of the press people to have a small dinner and talk. Many thought that was the initial way of the senator to express his plans in running for the 2010 elections.

But for Lani, she said: "Basta umiikot lang kami we're weighing what's going to happen. There is still no final decision because there are a lot of factors to consider. So far he is just continuing his work as a senator and that's it."

When asked if the senator has plans to run for a higher position, she said: "Kung yun ang pulso ng tao. He might say I want to run but then people might not like him so he needs to consider the people's want also. Kung sino ang makakasama niya and is he going to transfer or stay in Lakas. Maraming factors so pinag-aaralang mabuti ang lahat."

Bong Revilla's second grandchild expected soon

Sen. Ramon "Bong" Revilla Jr. said Wednesday he and wife, actress Lani Mercado, thought that daughter Inah, who is expecting her first child, was to give birth on Monday.

Revilla, however, said it was just false alarm.

“Actually, akala namin manganganak yung aking anak the other day, pero false alarm pala,” Revilla said an interview Wednesday on radio dzMM’s “Talakan.”

Reports said Inah is due to give birth to a baby girl on October 1, but the Revillas said the baby might come out earlier, maybe even coincide with the senator’s birthday.

The actor-turned-politician is turning 42 on Thursday, September 25.

During Mercado’s 40th birthday in April, Revilla confirmed that his 18-year-old daughter Inah and then boyfriend Vince del Rosario were tying the knot because of the baby.

The confirmation came amid speculations about the real reason behind the hastily-planned wedding. The two got married in May.

When asked about his political plans for 2010 elections, meanwhile, Revilla said nothing is definite yet. He said he is focusing on his work right now.

“Wala pa, [di pa] sigurado kung tatakbo tayo," he said. "Pero as of now, ayaw ko munang pag-usapan ang politika." 

Kap, Bitoy rule weekend primetime

Senator Bong Revilla's Kap's Amazing Stories and Michael V's Bitoy's Funniest Videos topped the primetime race last weekend.

Kap's Amazing Stories was on top of the ladder among Sunday (September 21) primetime programs with an amazing 30.9 percent; closely followed by Paolo Bediones's Tok! Tok! Tok! Isang Milyon Pasok—where a contestant got the jackpot prize of P1-M—with 30.6 percent.

Completing the Top 5 are Mel & Joey (27.7 percent), Pinoy Dream Academy Little Dreamers (24.4 percent), and Goin' Bulilit (22.9 percent).

Sharon Cuneta's documentary titled Mega Tatlong Dekada, which commemorates the Megastar's 30th anniversary in showbiz, managed to grab the 8th spot with 14.2 percent.

SOP grabbed back the top spot in the daytime race with 16.9 percent while Showbiz Central came in second spot and reclaimed the crown in the battle of the Sunday showbiz talk shows with 15.5 percent.

SOP's rival ASAP '08 came in third with 14.1 percent while Showbiz Central's competitor The Buzz rated 9.7 percent to take 6th place.

Bitoy's Funniest Videos, on the other hand, led all Saturday (September 20) primetime shows with 30.2 percent; followed by the Survivor Philippines special of Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho, which amassed a total of 27.2 percent.

ABS-CBN's longest-running drama anthology Maalaala Mo Kaya, featuring John Lloyd Cruz's stunning portrayal of a schizophrenic, grabbed the third spot with an impressive 24.6 percent. GMA-7's Celebrity Duets came at No. 4 with 23.7 percent while Imbestigador completed the Top 5 with 23.2 percent.

The daytime race was ruled again by Eat Bulaga!, which collected a total of 20.8 percent.

A far second was Pinoy Records with 17.6 percent while Wowowee came in third place with 17.2 percent. Wish Ko Lang and Cinema FPJ tied at fourth place with identical 15.3 percent rating. Fifth place went to Takeshi's Castle with 13.7 percent.

Dyesebel ruled the primetime race last Friday, September 19, with 39.2 percent. It was followed by four other Kapuso shows in the Top 5: Codename: Asero (35.8 percent), Ako Si Kim Samsoon (34.9 percent), Survivor Philippines (31.4 percent), and 24 Oras (3o percent).

Completing the Top 10 are TV Patrol World, I Love Betty La Fea, Dyosa, Bubble Gang, and Iisa Pa Lamang.

Afternoon soaps Gaano Kadalas ang Minsan and Una Kang Naging Akin took the first two spots in the daytime race with 25.5 percent and 24.6 percent, respectively.

Revilla to join Mindanao peace ride

Sen. Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. has assured motorbikers in the country that he would join them in a motorcycle peace caravan in Mindanao scheduled after the Ramadan.

The caravan, to be spearheaded by the Motorcycle Philippines Federation (MCPF), seeks to boost further Christian-Muslim relationship in the country.

In a press statement, Revilla said he assured the officers of the federation of his participation during a meeting at the Senate recently.

In their meeting, the MCPF formally informed and explained to the senator details about their planned “Freedom Ride for Peace in Mindanao,” the first ever motorcade of various motorcycle riders advocating peace in Mindanao.

The MCPF has asked Revilla to lead the Christian motorcycle riders when they launch the caravan. For the Muslim motorcycle riders, the MCPF is eyeing Revilla’s fellow action star Robin Padilla.

“Rest assured that I will participate in the peace caravan. The event will prove that serious concern for peace in Mindanao is greatly increasing in various sector in the country, including the motorcycle sector,” Revilla said in his statement.

He stressed that the event is a unique venue to further realize that the search for peace in Mindanao is alive among Christian and Muslim Filipinos.

“Having our Christian and Muslim countrymen together is a meaningful event to show that we are all one in the pursuit of the much-awaited peace in the region. We are all Filipinos,” he pointed out.