Video by Nestor Corrales/INQUIRER.net
Insisting that his conscience is clear, detained Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. said that he is not closing his doors on running again for office in 2016.
“I keep my options open,” the senator said Thursday after his pre-trial hearing at the Sandiganbayan.
He maintained that no law prohibits those in jail from seeking public office.
READ: Jail won’t stop my 2016 run—Revilla | Revilla lukewarm on 2016 run after losing bail plea
Revilla, who garnered the most number of votes in the 2010 senatorial elections, is currently detained on charges of graft and plunder in connection with the multibillion-peso pork barrel scam at Camp Crame in Quezon City.
“Ang tanong ko lang, meron bang nagbabawal na tumakbo ang isang nakakulong? Wala namang batas na nagbabawal ‘di ba?” he said.
(I ask you, is there a law that prohibits those in jail from running for public office? There is none, right?)
The senator, however, was mum on what position is he eyeing for 2016. He is serving the last of the allowed two straight senatorial terms.
But he admitted that some individuals have been visiting him and discussing with him his plans for 2016.
Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. attends his pre-trial hearing. Nestor Corrales/INQUIRER.net
‘My conscience is clear’
Revilla also maintained his innocence on the corruption charges filed against him.
“Kahit na nakakulong ako, alam kong malinis ang akong konsensya. Lalabas at lalabas ang katotohanan,” he said.
(Though I am in jail, I know that my conscience is clear. The truth will come out.)
READ: Revilla’s bid ‘delusional’
He said he would not think of running again if he were guilty of the charges filed against him.
“Well, alam mo kung guilty ka, ‘di ka mag-iisip na tumakbo e. Pero kung malinis ang konsensya mo, wala ka dapat ikatakot,” he said.
(If you know that you are guilty, then you wouldn’t consider running. But if your conscience is clear, you have nothing to fear.)
He admitted that the accusations hurled against him have “poisoned” the minds of Filipinos.
“I have to admit, marami ang nalason sa pagbato ng putik sa akin. Kita niyo naman ang dumi ng pamumulitika ngayon. I just hope mabago ito,” he said.
(I have to admit, the people’s impression of me has been poisoned because all of these mudslinging. You can, politics is really dirty now. I just hope it changes.)
But he said he remains strong amid the corruption scandals he is allegedly involved in.
“Basta si Bong Revilla, mananatiling matatag. Malakas hanggang ngayon,” he said.
(Bong Revilla remains steadfast. I remain strong until now.) IDL