Sen. Grace Poe. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
Except for a fair and speedy trial for detained Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr., his family made no other request when they endorsed the bid of Senator Grace Poe, the presidential candidate said on Thursday.
Poe and running mate Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero received the backing of Revilla’s wife, Cavite Representative Lani Mercado, and their son, Cavite Vice Governor Jolo Revilla, when they campaigned in the vote-rich Cavite this Thursday.
Senator Revilla has been charged with plunder and detained at Camp Crame in Quezon City in connection with the pork barrel scam.
READ: Enrile, Revilla, Angara, others charged in new P500M pork scam
Asked in an interview if they had a deal with the family in exchange for their support for her presidential bid, Poe answered none.
“Wala. Alam mo ito talaga ‘yung malinaw: walang hinihiling na kapalit ukol diyan, kung hindi lamang na sana maging patas ang pagdinig. Lahat naman ‘yan ang gusto natin e. Mabilis na paglilitis at patas na pagdinig,” she said.
(None. You know, this is clear: they are not asking for anything in exchange for their support except for a fair trial for [Senator Revilla]. We all want a fair and speedy trial.)
“Bilang pangulo, hindi ako makikialam sa mga kaso. Iyon ang puwede kong gawin. Kasi mahirap rin naman kung ang pangulo ay nagdidiin laban sa mga katunggali, hindi rin naman ‘yon makatarungan,” Poe added.
(If I will be elected president, I won’t interfere with cases. That’s what I should do. Likewise, it is not appropriate if the president will press cases against rivals because that would be unjust.)
Asked again if she would be comfortable to get the support of Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (CMD), the political group of former President and now detained Pampanga Representative Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, the senator said she was not aware if the entire Lakas would back her bid.
“Ang alam ko lang ay ito ay isang individual decision ng pamilya,” she said, referring to the Revillas, who belong to Arroyo’s party.
(All I know is this is the individual decision of the family.)
“Alam ko may mga Lakas din na sa iba naman sumusuporta,” she further said.
(I know there are Lakas [members] who are supporting the bid of other presidential candidates.)
It was Arroyo, who defeated Poe’s adoptive father, the late action king Fernando Poe Jr. in the 2004 presidential race, which was allegedly marred with massive fraud. RAM
READ: Fraud in 2004 presidential polls
