Revilla on eve of his expected arrest: ‘Sleepless’ in Cavite

By: Marc Jayson Cayabyab - 10 years ago

Sen. Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. INQUIRER/ MARIANNE BERMUDEZ

MANILA, Philippines – A tired-looking Senator Ramon Revilla Jr. said he only slept for two hours before his expected arrest this Friday following the Sandiganbayan’s finding of probable cause on the plunder case filed against him.

Revilla said it has been a “nightmare” waiting for his arrest.

“Parang bangungot na hindi ako magising,” a stressed-looking Revilla said in a television interview early Friday at his residence in Bacoor, Cavite.

“Kumbaga… ano ito, para akong nakaburol na. Ngayong umaga naman, malilibing nang buhay,” he added.

The Ombudsman in indicting the lawmaker said the movie actor-turned-senator collected P224.512 million kickbacks from 2006 to 2010 from the alleged illegal disbursement of his Priority Development Assistance Funds (PDAF).

Revilla, who faces one count of plunder and 16 counts of graft, was with son, Cavite Vice Governor Jolo Revila, during the interview.

“Sabi ko sa kanya, habang wala si Papa, be a good guy,” Revilla told his son.

“Bilang bise gobernador ng Cavite, ipakita mo sa kanila ‘yung mga inuturo ko sayo. Sinabi ko sa’yo, huwag mo sisirahin ang ating pangalan, huwag dudungisan ito,” the senator added to his son while they clutched each other on the shoulders.

Revilla said what he was going through was only a challenge that God has given him.

“Kahit mamatay na ako bukas, masaya ako dahil nakita ko na maraming nagmamahal sa akin sa kabila ng araw araw na batikos sa isang taon,” he added.

Also charged with plunder and graft over the “pork barrel” scam were Senators Juan Ponce Enrile and Jinggoy Estrada, alleged mastermind Janet Lim-Napoles, and several other individuals.

The scam is an an alleged elaborate scheme of diverting billions of public funds to ghost projects for kickbacks.