Detained Bong Revilla shoots for Senate comeback

Detained former Senator Ramon Bong Revilla, Jr. on Wednesday formalized his bid for a Senate comeback in 2019 by filing his certificate of candidacy (COC) through his wife, Bacoor City Mayor Lani Mercado.

Revilla is among the three former senators facing plunder in connection with the multi-billion peso pork barrel scam, the others being Jinggoy Estrada and Juan Ponce Enrile, who have both filed their respective COCs.

"Ang isyu po rito ay kung ano pa ang magagawa ni Senator Bong. Hindi po issue ang kaso niya," Mercado said, adding her husband will push for scholarship and healthcare programs if ever he wins.

The son of former Senator Ramon Revilla Sr., Revilla is accused of pocketing P224 million from the scam where lawmakers allegedly took kickbacks for funneling their Priority Development Assistance Fund, or pork barrel, to bogus non-government organizations linked to alleged scam mastermind Janet Lim Napoles.

Revilla had served as senator for two terms in the years 2004 to 2016. He has been in detention since June 2014.

Mercado said "the whole family" will campaign for her husband.

"Kahit siya ay ikinulong, hindi maikukulong ang kanyang pagmamahal sa bayan," she said. "Gusto niyang ipakita sa lahat ng naniwala sa kanya na hindi siya pagigiba."

Revilla's case has been submitted for resolution last September 10.

Under the 1987 Constitution, criminal cases submitted for resolution must be resolved within 90 days by the lower courts and the Sandiganbayan.

"Naghihintay na lang po kami ng 90 days. We are praying that it will be favorable to Senator Bong. It is possible that he will be out by December. My husband is innocent," Mercado said. —KBK, GMA News