Revilla speech to `affect’ 2-3 gov’t officials, says lawyer

Sen. Ramon “Bong” Revilla. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines – Two to three  incumbent  government officials  will be “affected”  when  Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. delivers a privileged speech to answer accusations that he had used his “pork barrel”  to fund   bogus organizations, his lawyer said.

“May mga mababanggit.  Dalawa o tatlong  opisyal (2-3 officials will be mentioned),”  Revilla’s lawyer, Joel Bodegon, told INQUIRER.net over the phone when asked  about the senator’s speech scheduled when the Senate resumes its sessions at 3 p.m. Monday.

The officials, Bodegon said, are currently holding positions in government and will be “affected’ by Revilla’s speech. The lawyer, though, refused to elaborate.

Bodegon said Revilla, in his speech, would  also use power point presentations and  photos.  He did not also elaborate.

Only one thing is certain though and that is the senator will answer for the first time  the  accusations hurled at him in connection  with the alleged anomalous use of his Priority Development Assistance Fund  (PDAF) also known as “pork barrel” funds.

“He will belie his involvement (in the pork barrel scam),” Bodegon said.

Asked why  Revilla decided to speak  about the issue only now, Bodegon said  the senator had been  planning to do it a long time  ago but  he gave way to  his colleague, Senator Jose “Jinggoy”  Estrada, who also delivered a speech  on the floor last September.

Estrada, Revilla, and Senate Minority Leader Juan Ponce-Enrile have been charged with plunder at the Office of the Ombudsman for allegedly funnelling their PDAF to bogus  nongovernment organizations owned by businesswoman Janet Lim-Napoles.  The three had strongly denied the allegations.

Bodegon said Revilla’s plan to deliver a speech was overtaken by various events and disasters like Supertyphoon “Yolanda” but the issue remains to be addressed.

“The case is pending with the  Ombudsman…siguro natabunan lang yung issue in terms of media coverage but the matter is very much alive,” the  lawyer added.