Revilla Sr. turns emotional during son’s speech

Former Senator Ramon Revilla Sr. PHOTO BY NESTOR CORRALES/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — Former Senator Ramon Revilla Sr. appeared emotional on Monday during the privilege speech of his son, Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr., over his alleged involvement in the multibillion peso “pork barrel” scandal.

Revilla Jr. said his speech was urged by his father who told him “the truth is on their side.”

“I have long been urged by my father. He has repeatedly told me ‘Son, speak up. The truth is on our side. Defend our dignity and our name,'” the senator said in his speech.

“Daddy, here it is. I am fighting for the truth. I am fighting for our dignity,” he said after which he stopped speaking for a few seconds and he appeared to choke but his voice remained steady when he continued.

After his speech, Revilla went to his father, who was in a wheelchair at the front of the VIP gallery in the plenary hall, and hugged him. The elder Revilla was then wheeled out of the Senate’s session hall.

Revilla spoke against the whistleblowers “pork barrel” scam, saying that their accusations against him, as well as against Senate Minority leader Juan Ponce Enrile and Senator Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada, were made up.

He also said the allegations made by primary whistleblower Benhur Luy about his forged signatures were all lies.

Revilla called Luy “boy pirma” pointing to Luy’s admission that it was his specialty to forge signatures of lawmakers in order to funnel funds from the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF).

He said that he has been hurt from the accusations and that his family was also affected by the pressure from the administration.

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