Senator Ramon ‘Bong’ Revilla Jr. on his privilege speech this afternoon, January 20, 2014 at Senate of the Philippines Plenary Hall. (UNTV News)
[Released on January 20, 2014]
The President met with Senator Revilla to verify persistent reports that the senators were being pressured by interest groups to influence the outcome of the impeachment trial, and he asked the senator to decide the case on the basis of its merits. The Senator said that he will do what is right—and he voted to convict then Chief Justice Corona.
The President deplores the unfair insinuation made by Senator Revilla against his sister, Ma. Elena Aquino-Cruz and her husband Eldon despite the fact that the Czech Ambassador has clearly stated that they are not in any way involved in the MRT project in which a Czech firm was interested.
The main issue here is the proper use of public funds for which Senator Revilla is accountable. It is his duty to start explaining to our people how his PDAF allocation was actually spent.
SOURCE: http://www.gov.ph/2014/01/20/statement-of-secretary-coloma-on-senator-revilla-january-20-2014/