On Monday, Jan 20, Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla, Jr. delivered a privilege speech to address the allegations that he is involved in the pork barrel scam.
Revilla opened a can of worms with his emotionally-charged speech. As they say, it’s FAMAS-worthy. Coconuts Manila picks 12 dramatic statements from his now-notorious speech.
1. “Sa kabila ng pagyurak sa aking pagkatao, sa kabila ng pagkitil sa aking mga karapatan, sa kabila ng halos pagwasak sa aming buong angkan; kinimkim ko po ang nilalaman ng aking kalooban sa loob ng mahigit limang buwan.”
In English, please: “Despite the mudslinging, the violation of my rights, and the attempt to break up our clan, I kept it all in for more than five months.”
In other words: “I was busy taping Kap’s Amazing Stories for five months so I didn’t mind the accusations then. But now that I have time, I thought I might as well put on a show at the Senate.”
2. “Mas madali sanang tumahimik at magpasawalang-kibo. Pwede ko namang piliin na hindi magsalita. Pwede kong abangan na lamang ang magiging hatol nila sa akin. Pero ‘di po kaya ng dibdib ko.”
In English, please: “It’s easy to stay out of this and say nothing. I could have chosen to be silent. I could’ve just waited for their judgement to come down on me. But my heart couldn’t take it.”
In other words: “I can’t let Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago be the only scene-stealer in this joint.”
3. “I have nothing to do with this scam, those whistleblowers, nor Janet Lim Napoles. I have no dealings and transactions with them!”
In other words: “Just because you saw me in a photo with JLN, it doesn’t mean we’re friends.”
4. “Kung humahaba lang ang ilong ni Benhur Luy na yan tuwing magsisinungaling siya, malamang umabot na ang kanyang ilong mula dito sa Senado hanggang Malacañang.”
In English, please: “If Benhur Luy’s nose grew each time he lied, it would probably be long enough to get from the Senate to Malacañan Palace.”
In other words: “I love Pinocchio.”
5. “Sa halos 20 taon ko sa paglilingkod bayan bago ang isyung ito, ‘ni minsan ay hindi ako naakusahan ng katiwalian at wala ‘ni isang kaso ang isinampa laban sa akin.”
In English, please: “In the 20 years that I served this country, I have not been not accused of any corrupt practices whatsoever — until now.”
In other words: “I may have amnesia, but I’m not sure.”
6. “Sa murang edad ng 16 ay nag-umpisa na po akong magtrabaho. Nagsipag. Nagsikap. Para magkaroon ng mabuting pangalan at disenteng kabuhayan.”
In English, please: “From the tender age of 16, I have been working to have a good reputation and a decent means of living.”
In other words: “Daddy gave me a job back then.”
7. “Kung ano man po ang mayroon ako at ang aking pamilya, ang lahat po ng ito ay pinaghirapan ko sa magdamagang shooting ng daang pelikula, maghapon at magdamag na taping ng mga TV shows, mga product endorsement at mga commercials.”
In English, please: “Whatever I and my family have, it’s all because I worked hard shooting movies all night along, taping TV shows all day long, and doing product endorsements and commercials.”
In other words: “Have you guys not seen me wearing tights in my movies?”
8. “Nito lang, nabisto na substandard, overpriced, at di ayon sa specifications at building code ang mga itinatayong bunkhouses para sa mga biktima ng Yolanda. Mismong mga biktima, binibiktima pa. Anak ng teteng, yan ba ang Daang Matuwid?”
In English, please: “Just recently, it was discovered that the bunkhouses built for Yolanda victims were substandard, overpriced and didn’t follow the specifications dictated by the building code. The victims were victimized yet again. Son of a gun, is this what they call the Straight Path?!”
In other words: “Take that, PNoy!”
9. “Dahil sa mga imbentong paratang at paninirang puri, ay masyado ito dinamdam ng aking anak kaya’t tumigil muna siya sa pag-aaral ng abogasiya.”
In English, please: “Because of these false accusations and the besmirching of my name, my child was so dejected that he has temporarily stopped going to law school.”
In other words: “I am using my child to gain sympathy.”
10. “Napakasakit na makita ang aking mga anak at mga pamangkin, na itinatago ang kanilang pag-iyak, at pilit na nagpapakalakas para bigyan din ako ng tibay.”
In English, please: “It pains me to see my children — as well as my nephews and nieces — hide their tears and put up a brave front just to give me strength.”
In other words: “For good measure, I am using my child and other people’s children to gain even more sympathy.”
11. “Hindi po niyo alam, matagal na rin akong sinasabihan ng aking ama. Paulit-ulit siya, ‘Anak, magsalita ka na. Kakampi natin ang katotohanan. Ipaglaban mo ang ating dangal at ang ating pangalan.’ Daddy, eto na po. Ipinaglalaban ko po ang katotohanan. Ipinaglalaban ko ang ating dangal.”
In English, please: “You don’t know this, but my father has been telling me for some time, ‘Son, speak up no. The truth is on our side. Fight for our dignity and our name.’ Well, Daddy, here we are. I am now fighting for the truth. I am now fighting for our dignity.”
In other words: “I gotta bring in Daddy so his fans will support me, too.”
12. “I have already accepted whatever fate has in store for me. I have already accepted this political persecution and I will face whatever comes next.”
In other words: “Hahaha. I’m not going to jail, MOFOs.”
Passages lifted from a transcript of Revilla’s privilege speech
Screengrab from ANC news clip
