Revilla accepts fate; bares own ‘list’

Senator Ramon "Bong" Revilla Jr. on Monday said that he has accepted his looming detention for plunder charges in connection with the alleged pork barrel scam.

In a privilege speech that ended with a video featuring himself at various events, accompanied by an original song which he also performed, Revilla said he is willing to be jailed, while expressing confidence that justice will be served.

"Kung ang pagkakakulong ko ang siyang magiging susi sa pinto ng hustisya ay malugod ko itong tatanggapin. Nakapiring po ang katarungan, at magkakaroon din ang tunay na hustisya," the senator said.

Revilla, who is being accused of pocketing the biggest kickbacks from the alleged pork barrel scam, added that detention will not be the end of him.

"Makulong man ako, hindi nila makukulong ang aking pangarap at pagmamahal sa bayan. Huwag po kayong mag-alala. Hindi po ako mawawala, babalik po ako," the senator told his supporters during his speech.

On Friday, the Office of the Ombudsman formally charged Revilla, along with Senators Jinggoy Estrada and Juan Ponce Enrile, with plunder for their alleged involvement in the pork barrel scam. Graft charges followed on Monday.

The three senators are being accused of receiving millions in kickbacks from their discretionary funds intended for poor farmers by funneling pork barrel allocations to fake foundations linked to alleged scam mastermind Janet Lim-Napoles.

Thanks, praises

Revilla also used his privilege speech to reveal what he called his own list—one made up of people he wanted to thank.  

Napoles recently hit the headlines after she submitted to Department of Justice a list of lawmakers that made a windfall from the pork barrel scam.

Revilla used his list to shower his colleagues at the Senate—even those who investigated him in connection with the alleged irregularity—with thanks and praises.

Revilla said he still considers Senator Teofisto Guingona III, chairperson of the Senate blue ribbon committee which probed the alleged fraudulent scheme, his friend.

"Kaibigan pa rin kita. Lead the blue ribbon committee in fulfilling its mandate," Revilla told Guingona during his privilege speech.

Guingona, however, was not present during Revilla's speech.

Revilla even managed to joke about his impending arrest during his speech, calling Estrada his "kosa [cellmate]."

The senator also continued the levity with his message to Senator Manuel "Lito" Lapid, a fellow actor.

"Ikaw ang Leon Guerrero ng masang Pilipino. Bida ka talaga ng masa," he said, referring to one of Lapid's movie roles.

He also urged Senate President Franklin Drilon to fight for the Senate although Revilla did not elaborate.

"I pray that you, as the leader of this chamber, will be successful in rebuilding this institution," he also said.

Revilla meanwhile described Enrile as the "ultimate statesman" and "one of the greatest leaders of this country."

"Your brilliance, your experience, brought a culture of excellence not only to this institution but to every institution you have led," Revilla told the former Senate president.

Arroyo, Binay too

Aside from his fellow senators, Revilla also expressed his gratitude to God, his family and his party-mates, including former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

Revilla is the current chairman of the Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD), where Arroyo serves as chairperson emeritus.

"Former President and Congresswoman Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, you have always been in my prayers, and I will always continue praying for you. Kaya mo ‘yan Ma’am!" Revilla told her in his speech.

The former President is currently under hospital detention, also for plunder charges.

In his speech, Revilla also mentioned Vice President Jejomar Binay, whom the former called a "true man of vision." — BM/NB/JDS, GMA News