Former Senator Bong Revilla. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO / NINO JESUS ORBETA
MANILA, Philippines — Former Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla on Monday vowed to clean his family’s name following his acquittal from plunder in connection with the “pork barrel” scam.
During his speech at the flag-raising ceremony at Bacoor City Hall in Cavite, Revilla promised his father Ramon Revilla Sr.: “Lilinisin ko ang dinungisan nilang pangalan natin.”
“Lumabas na ang katotohanan na ang inyong anak ay walang kasalanan,” he added.
Revilla also lamented how his name was destroyed in the eyes of the Filipino people: “Hindi biro ang mayurakan ng pangalan. Hindi ganung ganun lang, masira, magiba ang pagkatao sa mata ng taong bayan.”
He expressed disappointment about how five years of his life were stolen from him while also claiming how the plunder cases were just invented.
Revilla said: “Hindi biro ang manakawan ng halos limang taon, pinaniwala ang mga publiko na isa kang magnanakaw. Gayung alam nila sa kanilang mga sarili na imbento lang ang mga kaso.”
The former senator also reiterated his innocence saying, “Wala akong ninakaw ni-sentimo mula sa taong bayan.”
Last Friday, Sandiganbayan First Division acquitted Revilla who was accused of amassing P224.5 million from his Priority Development Assistance Fund or “pork barrel” through non-government organizations linked to Janet Lim-Napoles. /cbb