Jolo Revilla on leave as Cavite vice governor

Cavite Vice Governor Jolo Revilla, recuperating from a gunshot wound, won't be fulfilling his political duties for at least a month, family lawyer Raymond Fortun said Monday.

“He has asked for a 30-day leave from the Province of Cavite after which, he is expected to report back to work barring any further complications from his injuries,” Fortun said in a text message.

He said Jolo, son of detained Senator Ramon Bong Revilla Jr., was discharged from the hospital following the family's request.

“Jolo Revilla is currently under the care of his mom Cong. Lani Mercado. The family decided to discharge him from the hospital to speed up his recovery, with the consent of his doctors,” Fortun said.

Jolo is recuperating from a gunshot wound on his upper right chest which he sustained after he supposedly accidentally fired a gun he was cleaning at their home earlier this month.

While the family claimed the shooting was accidental, earlier reports said he was depressed over his father's detention and may have attempted suicide.

The elder Revilla is currently detained at the Philippine National Police Custodial Center in Camp Crame in connection with the graft and plunder charges he is facing for allegedly benefitting from the pork barrel fund scam.

Meanwhile, in the same statement, Fortun said the family remains thankful to the Sandiganbayan for allowing the older Revilla to visit his son at the Asian Hospital and Medican Center in Muntinlupa City.

“The family is grateful to the Sandiganbayan for allowing Sen. Bong Revilla to visit Jolo. That visit lifted up Jolo's spirits, which led to a marked improvement in his disposition that very night,” he said.

“The family also thanks all those who visited Jolo at the hospital. They ask for further prayers for Jolo's swift recovery and peace of mind,” he added.  —Patricia Denise Chiu/KBK, GMA News