Way back 2014, Senator Ramon Bong Revilla conveyed a blistering benefit discourse finish with a PowerPoint presentation where he asserted that President Benigno Aquino III had requested that he vote to convict previous Chief Justice Renato Corona in 2012.
 |
| Photo Via Philstar.com | Senator Ramon Bong Revilla |
In the speech denying his involvement in the alleged pork barrel scam, Revilla
said no less than Interior Secretary Mar Roxas—whom he called “Boy
Pick-Up”—drove him from Cubao in Quezon City to Aquino's residence, Bahay
Pangarap at the Malacañang complex, for a meeting when Corona's impeachment
trial at the Senate was about to conclude.
Revilla, who voted to convict Corona, claimed Aquino told him over breakfast, “Pare, parang awa mo na. Ibalato mo na sa akin ito. Kailangan siya [Corona] ma-impeach.”
 |
| Photo Via abs-cbn news | Benigno Aquino III |
“Tama po ba na habang nililitis ang dating Chief Justice na si Renato Corona ay
kailangan makialam ang mismong Pangulo ng Republika sa isang prosesong legal na
dapat ay independyente?” Revilla asked.
He
added that the Palace is already forming a “habit” of meddling with affairs of
other branches of government. He also blasted Aquino for too much politicking.
 |
| Photo Via inquirer.net |
In a press conference after Revilla's speech, Presidential Communications
Operations Office head Herminio Coloma Jr. confirmed that Aquino did meet with
Revilla on that occasion, but denied that the President asked Revilla to vote
for Corona's conviction.
Roxas also admitted driving Revilla to Malacañang, but said he did it as a favor. He also said it was normal for the President to meet with senators and other high-ranking government officials.
In May 2012, 20 senators, including Revilla, voted to convict Corona for betrayal of public trust and culpable violation of the Constitution.
Before the conviction, deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said Aquino “has the right to express his position on certain things that involve the nation.”
Revilla is currently facing a plunder complaint before the Office of the Ombudsman for allegedly pocketing the biggest kickbacks from the alleged pork barrel scam amounting to P224.5 million.
Revilla, during his privilege speech, likewise said Roxas and Budget Secretary Florencio Abad also tried to convince him to oust Corona during the breakfast meeting.
“Bumangka si Secretary Mar tungkol sa mga dahilan kung bakit dapat ma-impeach si dating Chief Justice Corona... Sabay sunod naman si Secretary Butch Abad, 'Magtulungan tayo, Senator',” he said.
Revilla also presented a picture of a plate number, which he claimed was owned and concealed by Roxas, to support his allegation that the Cabinet secretary himself drove him to the Palace complex.
 |
| Photo Via abs cbn |
Revilla said he just told the President after the meeting that he “will do what
is right.”
Source Link
No comments:
Post a Comment