Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines – Saying he was not acting, actor-turned-senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla III broke into tears Thursday when he faced the public to address his imminent arrest.
Revilla, speaking before a crowd of people and supporters at the compound of his house in Cavite, made an emotional appeal that he be given a chance to defend himself in court and not to judge him without hearing his side.
“Utang ko po sa inyo kung ano man po ang aking narating ngayon. Maging sa larangan ng public service , maging sa larangan ng pag-aartisa, utang ko po sa inyong lahat yan. At hindi ko po kayang magtraydor sa inyo. Hindi po ako umaarte.,” he said.
“Kaya sa patuloy na bumabatikos sa akin, ang hiling ko lang, pakinggan nyo naman kami,” he said.
(I owe it to you for where I am today. In the field of public service and in being an actor, I owe all of this to you. I can’t betray you. I am not acting. For those who continue to criticize me, my request is for you to hear my side.)
Revilla then directed his message to President Benigno Aquino III.
“Sa pamahalaang Aquino, Mr. President, handa po akong magpakulong kahit saan nyo ako ikulong dahil ako’y naniwala na wala akong kasalanan at hindi po ako natatakot Ginoong Pangulo. Kahit saan po makarating ang laban na ito, ipaglalaban ko ang aking karapatan,” said the senator.
(To the Aquino administration, Mr. President, I am ready to be jailed wherever you want me to be jailed because I believe I am innocent and I am not afraid. Wherever this fight leads, I will fight for my right.)
Revilla is facing arrest for plunder, a non-bailable offense, in connection with the “pork barrel” scam.
Revilla, clad in white shirt, said: “The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do unto me?”
“Please give us a chance to defend ourselves in court,” he asked the public.
“Now that this case is in court, we hope that we will be given a fair trial,” he said further.
He said he was expecting the arrest as early as Wednesday, which had become a burden to his family.
“Hirap na hirap na ang aking pamilya sa panggigipit. Gayunman, handa ko pong harapin ang mga kaso. Lalabas din ang katotohanan,” he said.
“Thank you for your trust and support. Thank you very much,” he told his supporters.
He said he was ready to be detained anywhere even if he did not do anything wrong.
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