What is Bong Revilla’s wish for his 48th birthday?

By: Marc Jayson Cayabyab - 10 years ago

Senator Ramon ‘Bong’ Revilla Jr. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO/RAFFY LERMA

MANILA, Philippines–Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr., who turns 48 Wednesday, has one birthday wish—for President Benigno Aquino III to stop taking a swipe at his political enemies.

Revilla, who was at the Sandiganbayan on Thursday for his bail hearing on plunder over the pork barrel scam, said Aquino should instead focus on the pressing issues of the country like poverty, rising prices of goods, and education.

“Sana matigil na ang sobrang pangbebengga…Pabayaan niyo na lang kami sagutin ang mga isyu sa amin,” Revilla said, using a colloquial term which is a loose translation of being criticized.

(I hope he stops criticizing us. He should just let us answer the issues we are facing.)

Revilla also lamented the politicking in the alleged overpriced Makati parking building that is being pinned down on Vice President Jejomar Binay.

“Kailan ba matatapos ang ganitong pamumulitika? Wish ko lang, ang isipin natin ang bayan,” he said.

(When will this politicking stop? I wish we just think about the country.)

Revilla said the President only has 614 days remaining in his term and that he should make the best of it.

“Ipakita niya ang tunay na pagmamalasakit sa taumbayan at hindi lang mag-focus dun sa kanyang mga kalaban,” he said.

(He should just show genuine concern for the people and not just focus on his political enemies.)

Revilla faces plunder and graft charges for his alleged involvement in the pork barrel scam, the purported diversion of senators’ Priority Development Assistance Funds (PDAF) to ghost projects in exchange for kickbacks. He is detained at the Philippine National Police Custodial Center.