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.