Aquino confirms meeting with Revilla

President Benigno Aquino III. INQUIRER.net FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — President Benigno Aquino III on Tuesday personally confirmed that he met with Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. and other lawmakers but only to ensure that they decide on the impeachment of Chief Justice Renato Corona based on the merits of the case alone.

“What I was trying to do was basically ensure that they decide the case on the merits of the case rather than other outside factors,” the President said during an ambush interview.

He said he had Interior Secretary Mar Roxas meet with Revilla first to facilitate a more “convivial atmosphere” since the two worked closely in the Senate.

Aquino said the seemingly secret meeting was to ease the pressure on the senators by other sectors weighing in on Corona’s impeachment.