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Revilla mourns death of ex-aide convicted in pork barrel scam who died inside NBP
Revilla mourns death of ex-aide convicted in pork barrel scam who died inside NBP
Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla, Jr. on Friday, April 9 sent his condolences to the family of his former staff, who died of a stroke inside the New Bilibid Prison, where he is serving his sentence after he was convicted for plunder in the pork barrel fund scam.
In a statement, Revilla recalled that Richard Cambe, his former chief of staff, worked for more than 10 years with his father, former Senator Ramon Revilla, Sr.
Cambe is serving a sentence of up to 40 years for plunder after he was found guilty in December 2018 of plundering P124.5-million worth of taxpayers’ funds while he was a staff of the senator.
The Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) reported that Cambe suffered a stroke, and died at the Ospital ng Muntinlupa Thursday evening, April 8.
“Last night, my former legislative staff Atty. Richard Cambe passed away at the Ospital ng Muntinlupa. He served more than 10 years with my father, and just about the same time in my office,” Revilla said in a statement posted on Facebook.
“According to the NBP, na-stroke siya Wednesday night ngunit wala daw mapagdalhan na ospital dahil full capacity ang mga ospital sa Metro Manila. After best efforts, nadala siya late afternoon kahapon sa OM, ngunit sa kasamaang palad ay binawian na siya ng buhay sa ER (he suffered a stroke on Wednesday night but there were no available hospital because all hospitals in Metro Manila are in full capacity. After best efforts, he was brought to the OM late afternoon yesterday, but unfortunately he died at the emergency room),” the senator added.
“I pray that we extend his family and loved ones their privacy for them to grieve. Ang aming taimtim na panalangin at lubos na pakikiramay sa kanyang mga naiwan (We offer our prayers and condolences to his loved ones). Rest in Peace Richard,” he further said.
Both Revilla and Cambe faced trial in the so-called Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) scam masterminded by a businesswoman named Janet Lim-Napoles.
Napoles was convicted along with Cambe in the case, but Revilla was acquitted by the Sandiganbayan after four years of trial, and has since returned to the Senate.