MANILA, Philippines – Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. on Monday turned his privilege speech into a song number when he played a music-video presentation in concluding his arguments regarding his alleged involvement in the pork barrel scam.
Revilla, who had urged President Benigno Aquino III to lead the country towards unity and end political mudslinging, made good his promise to reveal his own “list.”
“May kahilingan muna ako sa inyo sa ating pansamantalang ating paghihiwalay (I have a wish before our temporary departure),” Revilla said, sounding he was about to resign from the chamber.
Then he moved on to reveal the content of his list. Topping Revilla’s list is God.
“Thank you for walking with me during these times of trial. Tulad ng lagi, alam ko pong hindi Niyo ako pababayaan. Alam kong hindi Mo pababayaan ang bayan,” he said.
Revilla said second on his list was his father, and family, who he said continue to give him strength.
Third on his list, he said, was his colleagues.
To Senate President Franklin Drilon, Revilla expressed hopes that the former would be able successful in rebuilding the institution.
“Ipaglaban mo ang institusyong ito,” he told Drilon.
Revilla, who was emotional at the start of his speech, managed to laugh when he addressed Senators Lito Lapid , Joseph “JV” Ejercito, and Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada.
“Kaibigang Lito, ikaw ang Leon Guerrero ng masang Pilipino. Bida ka talaga ng masa,” he said of Lapid.
And to Estrada, Revilla said: “Kosa, hanggang dito ba naman magkasama tayo? Pinagtatawanan siguro tayo ni Daboy ngayon.”
Daboy is the name of the late actor Rudy Fernandez. Revilla, Estrada and Fernandez are known close friends since they were in showbiz. Estrada has also been charged with plunder at the Sandiganbayan.
Laughter broke out inside the gallery when Revilla turned to Estrada’s half-brother.
“Sa maikling panahon ng pagkakasama natin, nakita ko ang puso mo ng tulad ng iyong ama. Isa lang ang hiling ko, sana magkasundo na kayo ng kapatid mo,” Revilla said.
Estrada and Ejercito are both sons of former President and Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada from different women and both admitted that they are not in good terms.
Revilla also has this meaningful message to Senator Teofisto Guingona III, chairman of the Senate blue ribbon committee that investigates the “pork” scam.
“Kaibigan pa rin kita, no matter what. Lead the blue ribbon committee in fulfilling its true mandate,” he said.
“Senator (Juan Ponce) Enrile, you are undoubtedly the ultimate statesman,” Revilla said. “Senator Cynthia isa kang inspirasyon ng sipag at tyaga; kay Senator (Francis) Chiz (Escudero): Please be careful with your Heart.”
He also thanked former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo who is also charged with plunder.
“’This isn’t the end for us. God is preparing us for something better,’ Revilla told Sen. Estrada.
Then Revilla asked the Senate audio-visual personnel to switch on the projector to start his music video. The less than five-minute presentation with the background song “Salamat, Kaibigan” being crooned by Revilla himself highlighted Revilla’s achievements and campaign sorties in the last elections.
“Maraming salamat po (Thank you very much),” Revilla said.
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