Bong Revilla won’t return P124.5 million, insists he did not steal anything

FILE: Former Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla, Jr. (Photo: Ramon ‘Bong’ Revilla Jr./Facebook)

Former Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla, Jr. on Thursday, December 13, insisted that he will not return any amount of money to the national treasury as the Sandiganbayan already ruled that he was not guilty of plunder over the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) or pork barrel scam case.

Revilla said this in a press conference where he was joined by his legal counsels including lawyer Estelito Mendoza.

“Ano ang isasauli ko? Wala naman akong kasalanan. Nagsalita na ang korte na wala akong kasalanan (What will I return. I am not at fault. The court already cleared me),” the former senator said.

After spending four years and five months in detention, the anti-graft court last week acquitted Revilla from plunder charges after it was not proven that he amassed a P224.5 million worth of kickbacks through the pork barrel scam.

However, his two co-accused, businesswoman Janet Lim-Napoles and his former staff Richard Cambe, were found guilty of plunder and sentenced to reclusion perpetua or imprisonment of up to 40 years.

The court also ordered the accused to return the amount of P124.5 million to the government pursuant to Article 100 of the Revised Penal Code.

Speaking to the reporters, Revilla also said if he is re-elected as senator, one of his agenda is to go after those who accused him of plunder.

“‘Yung legislative agenda meron, para ‘dun sa mga false accusers, dapat may counter tayo diyan dahil hindi tama yung nangyayari (There is already a legislative agenda for the false accusers. There has to be a counter because what was happening is not right),” he said.

“Kumbaga (It was like), they really want to hang me. Hanggang ngayon gumagalaw sila. Kung may pamilya kayo, maniwala kayo sa karma, babalik din ‘yan sa inyo (Until now they are moving. If you have a family, then believe in karma, it will return to you),” he continued.

Moreover, the senatorial bet also mentioned that he will return to the entertainment business next year, noting that acting in movies and television series is his “bread and butter.”

“‘Yun ang source of income ko talaga hindi ‘yung pagiging senador (That is my source of income and not being a senator),” he said.

Despite his acquittal, Revilla still faces 16 other cases of graft before the Sandiganbayan in connection to the pork barrel scam. The former senator has already posted a P480,000 bail bond for his temporary liberty.