Revilla attacks Aquino, says pork scam a ‘coverup’

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

MANILA, Philippines – Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. attacked the Aquino   administration in a privilege speech on Monday, saying the “pork barrel” scam was just the government’s “coverup.”

“Gusto ko pong ipaabot sa mga minamahal nating kababayan na ang lahat ng ito ay isang palabas lamang ng gobyernong nabigong maglingkod nang totohanan sa publiko at nagkukunwaring may malasakit sa bayan gamit ang propagandang tuwid na daan,” Revilla said.

He then quoted former President Fidel V. Ramos: “Daang Tama or the right path should be based on daang tuwid or straight path, but the latter is not enough.”

“To achieve the right path, the straight path must be enhanced by clear vision, people empowerment, inclusiveness, outreach, performance and competitiveness,” Revilla said.

“Nakikita ba natin ito sa daang matuwid ng administrasyon ito?” Revilla asked.

The senator admitted that in the first months, he was deeply hurt by what he described as persecution by Malacañang, especially when it used its all resources to destroy him.

“Pero kalaunan, naisip ko na ang dinaranas ko ay bahagi ng pulitika at matinding intriga na mas masahol pa sa kinamulatan kong mundo ng pelikula,” Revilla said.

Revilla also took a swipe at  Budget Secretary Florencio “Butch” Abad  and  Local Government Secretary Manuel Roxas II.

“Ginoong Pangulo, kung mismong DBM nga may ‘Boy Xerox’ na namemeke ng mga SARO, bakit napakahirap na dito sa PDAF ay mayroon namang Boy Pirma na namemeke ng pirma sa mga dokumento? Bakit pag lilinisn ang tauhan nila sa DBM not guilty without thinking? Pero kapag kalaban nila no way? Oh no, Mr. President, that’s very aBAD!”

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