Revilla to answer pork issue at Senate on Monday

Sen. Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

CEBU CITY—Sen. Bong Revilla said he would address his alleged involvement in the pork barrel scam in a privilege speech at the Senate on Monday.

Revilla arrived at the Mactan Cebu International Airport Thursday evening together with his wife, Cavite 2nd district Rep. Lani Mercado-Revilla, as part of his annual tradition of visiting the Señor Sto Niño.

In an interview, Revilla said he has a special prayer and intention for this year’s visit to the Sto. Niño shrine here.

“We know, we’ve been through a lot last year. Our prayer is we could overcome this,” he told reporters in a press conference at the airport.

The senator then urged the public to watch his privilege speech on Monday.

“Just wait for my privilege speech this coming Monday. I invite the entire country to listen and watch so they will know the truth,” Revilla said.

He has kept a low profile since the pork barrel scam broke out and has been accused of receiving alleged kickbacks totaling P224.51 million.

Revilla, Sen. Jinggoy Estrada, and Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile face a plunder complaint for allegedly diverting their pork barrel funds to fake non-governmental organizations of businesswoman Janet Lim Napoles, in exchange for commissions.

“Please pray for me. The truth will come out,” he told reporters.