Former Senator Revilla Seeks Another Three-day Furlough, This Time for Tooth Implant

Former Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. on Thursday asked the Sandiganbayan First Division to allow him to leave his detention for three days to undergo tooth implant surgery and other dental procedures.

In his motion, Revilla, through his lawyers, specifically asked the court to grant him furlough on July 13, 16 and 23, all starting at 2 p.m.

Revilla said his personal dentist, Dr. Steve Mark Gan, in certifications dated April 11, 2016 and June 20, 2016, advised him to undergo a first-stage tooth implant surgery to replace his recently extracted molar “so as to prevent future complications.”

“Dental implant for him is also the most conservative approach,” the motion read, quoting Gan’s April 11, 2016 certification.

After the tooth implant, Revilla said Gan also advised him to undergo a post operation check-up as well as suture or stitches removal and stay plate denture reline.

Revilla said all the procedures he intends to undergo would have to be done at the Gan Advanced Osseointegration Center (GAOC) located at the ground floor of The Residences, Greenbelt Center in Makati.

The former senator is currently detained at the PNP Custodial Center in Camp Crame, Quezon City, for plunder and graft charges in connection with his alleged involvement in the pork barrel scam.

He is accused of amassing Php224-million worth of kickbacks by allocating his Priority Development Assistance Fund, or pork barrel, from 2006 to 2010 to fake foundations allegedly owned by businesswoman Janet Lim-Napoles, the scam’s alleged mastermind.

In his motion, the veteran legislator explained that the conduct of the tooth implant procedure was deferred during his last visit at GAOC on May 12, as he had to undergo surgical stent and composite fillings first as “several cavities were noted” in his upper teeth.

“It was then determined that Senator Revilla is now qualified for implant placement, consistent with the Dental Certificate dated 11 April 2016 issued by Dr. Gan,” the motion read.

In October last year, the First Division allowed Revilla to leave detention for five days to undergo various dental procedures also at GAOC. (PNA) RMA/SFM