Senator Ramon ‘Bong’ Revilla Jr. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
BACOOR CITY, Philippines–Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla submitted himself to authorities as he headed straight to the Sandiganbayan early Friday.
Revilla’s at least ten-vehicle convoy left the family’s mansion here at around 8:40 am following a short prayer with his family.
“Maaaring maikulong nila si Bong Revilla pero hindi ang pagmamahal ko sa inyong lahat (They may be able to jail me, but never my love for you),” Revilla said to about a hundred of his supporters.
Revilla was seen boarding a white van with his son and Cavite Vice Governor Jolo Revilla.
Revilla’s eldest son, Bryan, earlier said the entire family would accompany their father to the Sandiganbayan.
Neatly dressed in a white polo and pants, Revilla, in a brief interview with the media, managed to say in jest: “Para akong ililibing nang buhay. Ganito pala ang hitsura ko ‘pag namatay (I look like I am going to be buried alive. So this is how I look like when I die.).”
Revilla is one of the three senators facing plunder charges in relation to the pork barrel scam.
Asked by reporters, Revilla said his arrest would not deter his bid for presidency in 2016.
He said he would run, “Kapag hiniling ng taumbayan. Malay mo, first time, nasa loob ng kulungan maging pangulo (If the people clamor for it. Who knows, for the first time, a prisoner might become the president.).”
But amidst the faint smiles and the light jest, the actor-turned-politician admitted the issue has taken its toll on his family.
He said he only had two hours of sleep last night as he asked his wife and Bacoor lone district representative Lani Mercado and their children “to stay strong.”
Revilla said he also talked to his father, former senator Ramon Revilla Sr., who was in another house inside the Revilla’s compound here.
“Nagkatitigan kami. Di ako makapagsalita,e. Sabi nya,’iiwan mo na ba ako?'”Revilla said.
(We looked at each other. I could not speak. He said, “are you going to leave me?”)
Asked by reporters how he plans to spend his time in jail, Revilla said he would bring a bible and spend time working out. He said he would be taking with him only a bag of clothing and he is ready to wash his laundry himself.
“Ang mahalaga maging mapagmasid ang ating kababayan. Tingnan n’yo ang ginagawa ng present administration.”
(It is important for our compatriots to be observant. Look at what the present administration is doing.)
“’Yung sobrang pamumulitika, tigilan na. May kanya-kanyang pamilya ‘yan,may nasasaktan (They should stop politicizing issues. They have their own families who get hurt.),” he said referring to members of the opposition being linked to the pork barrel scam.
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