Revilla dismisses allegations against him as 'outright fabrications'
By Dhel Nazario
The camp of former Senator Ramon "Bong" Revilla, Jr. denied on Friday, Nov. 14, all allegations thrown against him by former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Usec. Roberto Bernardo regarding the flood control kickback scheme.
Senator Ramon "Bong" Revilla, Jr. (Senate PRIB photo)
"These are outright fabrications intended to malign his reputation and to divert the attention of the public from the real culprits," Lawyer Maria Carissa Guinto, Revilla's spokesperson, said in a statement.
According to Bernardo, he and former senator Revilla have had a close and friendly relationship since the time of Amay Bisaya and Mayor Viceo, who first introduced him to the former legislator in 2005 or 2006.
In fact, Revilla later became a godparent to two of his daughters, while he became a godparent to one of his children.
Bernardo recalled that, sometime in the third quarter of 2024, he met with Revilla, who asked him for a list of projects for funding ostensibly to help him in his national campaign. When Revilla asked about the percentage of the commitment, Bernardo said he suggested “either 20% or 25%”, to which the senator said: “25%.”
Guinto said that Bernardo's testimony should be taken with a grain of salt.
"There is an inherent danger in giving credence to the allegations of someone who has long undermined the law. Allowing a perpetrator to recast himself as a truth-teller does not strengthen our justice system; it compromises it," she said.
"It sends a message that one can commit crimes, betray the public trust, and later manipulate the legal process in exchange for immunity or favor," she added.
The spokesperson added that this development is disappointing but not surprising and that once again, Revilla is being subjected to political persecution by forces harboring "ill will" against him.
She said that Revilla will answer these accusations in the proper forum, where the truth is established through evidence rather than a persecution by publicity.
"Mr. Revilla is fully prepared to face and disprove the allegations against him. He likewise intends to pursue all available remedies to protect his rights under the law, and to ensure that his name will once again be cleared of all baseless and malicious claims against him," she said.