Revilla: I won’t leave PH

By: Maila Ager, Nestor Corrales - 11 years ago

MANILA, Philippines — Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. was unfazed by the Sandiganbayan’s hold-departure order (HDO) issued against him, saying it was “expected” as he reiterated his readiness to get arrested too.

“It was expected, lalo na at nauna nang lumabas yung kay Senator Jinggoy kahapon (It was expected specially that the same was first issued against Senator Jinggoy yesterday),” Revilla said in a statement issued by his office on Tuesday.

He was referring to Senator Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada, his co-accused in the plunder and graft charges filed at the Sandiganbayan in connection with the “pork barrel” scandal.

Senator Bong Revilla INQUIRER.net FILE PHOTO

“Wala naman akong balak umalis (I have no plans to leave). As I have said over and over, I will face the accusations against me,” Revilla added.

In separate television and radio interviews, Revilla said he would face this problem with his head high.

After an HDO was issued against him, the senator said it was also possible that a warrant of arrest would also be issued against him soon.

“Ini-expect na natin yan at nakahanda na rin tayong magpakulong at sabi ko nga kahit nasa labas tayo para na rin tayong nakakulong kaya mas mabuti pang ikulong na lang nila tayo,” he said.

(I am expecting it and I’m ready to be jailed and as I’ve said, even if I’m ourtside, it seems like that I’m already in jail that’s why it would be better if they would just send me to jail)

“I’m ready, I’m ready kahit anong mangyari at ang pinakamaganda, handa din pati yung puso ko, lahat.

Ang pamilya, prinipared ko na sila sa posibleng mangyari,” Revilla added.

On Tuesday, the Sandiganbayan first division issued an HDO against Revilla, alleged pork barrel scam mastermind Janet Lim Napoles, and their co-accused in the graft and plunder charges filed against them.

Revilla is facing one count of plunder and 16 counts of graft before the anti-graft court after the Ombudsman found probable cause in the misuse of his Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF).