Supporters hold prayer rally for Bong Revilla in Kawit, Cavite

Supporters of Ramon Bong Revilla, Jr. held a prayer rally at Aguinaldo Shrine in Kawit, Cavite on Sunday as the former senator remains in custody over a P92.8-million alleged ghost flood control project in Pandi, Bulacan.

Preachers from various religious sectors—born-again, Catholic, and Muslim—led prayers while supporters in white shirts sported blue ribbons and joined in solidarity with Revilla’s family, who were also present.

Revilla’s wife, Cavite 2nd district Representative Lani Mercado-Revilla, thanked the supporters.

“Napakabigat po ng panahon na ito sa aming pamilya. Ngunit sa inyo kami humuhugot ng lakas at higit sa lahat, sa Panginoon Diyos….Masakit at higit sa lahat, nakakagalit na masilayan ang aming mahal na ama, ang aking mahal na sa asawa sa kanyang pinagdaraanan ngayon,” she emotionally said. 

(This is an incredibly heavy time for our family. But we draw strength from all of you, and most of all, from the Lord God…. It is painful and, above all, infuriating to witness what our dear father, my dear husband, is going through right now.) 

“Sapagkat ang kanyang pagdurusa ay hindi bunga ng pagsuko sa isang kasalanan. Kundi isang pagsuko sa sistemang pumayag sa kawalan ng hustisya, sa kawalan ng tunay na katarungan. Kung saan ang inosenta ay pinipiit at binubusalan,” she added. 

(Because his suffering is not the result of surrendering to a crime. Rather, it is a surrender to a system that has allowed for a lack of justice, a void of true fairness. A system where the innocent are imprisoned and silenced.) 

The Cavite lawmaker also called on everyone not to believe in everything they see online. 

"Naniniwala ako that God is performing a great miracle. Maraming masisiwalat at kailangan masiwalat ang katotohanan, at hindi kasinungalingan. Huwag tayo basta-basta maniwala sa fake news na nakikita naitn sa social media....Mag fact-check po tayo," she said. 

(I believe that God is performing a great miracle. So much will be revealed, and the truth needs to come out—not lies. Let’s not just blindly believe the fake news we see on social media... Let’s please do our own fact-checking.) 

Some in the audience brought banners of support for the former senator, while one professed its belief in his innocence: “Lalabas din ang katotohanan, si Senator Bong Revilla ay walang kasalanan” (The truth will come out, Senator Bong Revilla is innocent). 

Revilla, Jr. and six other former officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) have been charged with malversation and graft in connection to the alleged ghost flood control project.

Revilla is currently detained at the New Quezon City Jail Male Dormitory. He sought to be transferred to the Philippine National Police Custodial Center in Camp Crame, but the Sandiganbayan Third Division denied his request. — BM, GMA Integrated News