MANILA, Philippines — Senatorial candidate Ramon “Bong” Revilla denied Saturday accusations that he would plunder state coffers and would just do the “budots” dance if elected senator, adding he was eyeing a Senate comeback to continue his reforms.
“Hindi po ako magnanakaw at hindi po ako masamang tao,” Revilla, who was among the lawmakers tagged in the multi-million peso pork barrel scam, told DWIZ radio in an interview.
“Tayo ay magperform sa Senado. Hindi tayo magsasayaw lang diyan,” he added in response to critics online who are making fun of his political advertisement, where he danced to “budots” to woo voters while other Senate bets flaunted their achievements in their campaigns.
Revilla is hoping for a Upper House comeback after he was cleared of plunder late last year over the multi-billion pork barrel scam.
He is still facing graft charges while his former chief aide remains in detention for plunder.
The former senator slipped to 11th spot in the partial, unofficial tally of votes as of 3:12 p.m. Saturday, May 18, 2019. Reelectionist Sen. Koko Pimentel overtook the actor-turned-politician in the senatorial race. — Ian Nicolas Cigaral