Noy won’t humiliate Revilla in SONA

MANILA, Philippines - President Aquino has no plan to humiliate Sen. Ramon Revilla Jr. when he delivers his State of the Nation Address (SONA) before a joint session of Congress on July 28.

Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. allayed the fears of Cavite Rep. Lani Mercado that her husband would be put to shame before the entire country.

“We respect and recognize her right to express her feelings,” he said in Filipino. “Our President had no such plans.”

Mercado said she will not attend the SONA even if she is a member of the House of Representatives.

On Revilla’s chances in the 2016 polls, Coloma said the nation would be the judge.

Coloma said Aquino is not politicking as he is focused on how to achieve the reform programs he had initiated.

“More or less, we have 738 days up to June 30, 2016 when the term of the President ends,” he said in Filipino.

“We won’t be deterred from implementing the reforms promised to our countrymen.”

Clampdown feared

Sen. JV Ejercito believes the administration has effectively clamped down on the political opposition with the imminent arrest of Senate Minority Leader Juan Ponce Enrile and his brother, Sen. Jinggoy Estrada.

“Well, there is definitely (a chilling effect),” he said.

“As you can see, many of our colleagues  are very quiet now. They have really made examples of non-allies, especially the others who might be facing charges.” 

Speaking over radio dzBB, Ejercito said the administration is  attempting  to silence the political opposition, including his father, Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada, who is facing a disqualification case in the Supreme Court (SC). 

The impending arrest of Senators Estrada and Enrile might deter other personalities from criticizing the  administration, he added. 

Ejercito said the Senate minority’s role as administration critics has been affected since Enrile, Estrada and Revilla were implicated in the pork barrel scam last year.

“Even if our colleagues are detained, we have to continue to play our roles as fiscalizers especially since this is a democracy,” he said.

Ejercito said the Senate minority will continue to perform its functions despite being reduced in numbers.

Otherwise, the Senate will deteriorate into a runner stamp of the administration, he added.

Ejercito sees a pattern that critics of the administration would face its wrath.

Sen. Gregorio Honasan is also reportedly next in line to face charges linked to the pork barrel  scam, he added. 

Ejercito said he has received reports that he will be the subject of a disqualification case for poll overspending in the last elections.

The charges would be similar to those thrown at   his cousin, ousted Laguna Gov. ER Ejercito, he added.

The Senate minority would be reduced to four, including Ejercito, Deputy Minority Leader Vicente Sotto III, and Sen. Nancy Binay. – With Christina Mendez