Bong Revilla’s birthday wish: Unity for the nation

(Updated 9:28 a.m.) Senator Ramon Bong Revilla on Thursday celebrated his 48th birthday by attending his bail hearing at the Sandiganbayan. His birthday wish? That President Benigno Aquino III finds it in himself to unite the country and set aside politics.

"Ang aking birthday wish for the country, sana mapagkaisa na ng pangulo ang ating bayan, set aside na ang pulitika, tama na ang pagbebengga," Revilla told reporters.

Meanwhile, radio dzBB quoted Cavite Rep. Lani Mercado as saying that another wish of her husband is to be allowed to post bail.

 

Revilla was greeted by at least a hundred supporters who waved colorful banners greeting him a happy birthday. According to their leader, Nestor Villanueva, most of the wellwishers came from Tatalon, Quezon City.

Sen. Bong Revilla, ipagdiriwang ang kaarawan sa Sandiganbayan kasama ang mga taga-suporta. @dzbb pic.twitter.com/bRfXKnSBiz

— Glen Juego (@glenjuego) September 25, 2014
 
 
 

 

Revilla thanked his supporters who greeted him. "Nagpapasalamat ako sa mga kaibigan ko na patuloy na sumusupporta, nagmamahal pa rin sa akin." 

 

This is the first birthday Revilla is celebrating behind bars. The senator is accused of graft and plunder, for allegedly pocketing millions in public funds, by diverting his priority development assistance fund to bogus NGOs owned by businesswoman Janet Lim Napoles. 

Napoles has been tagged as the supposed mastermind in the alleged pork barrel scam.

 

While Revilla appeared to be in good spirits, he also admitted to belong lonely behind bars.

 

"I'm good. Siyempre, nakakamiss yung mga kaibigan natin, tatlong buwan na nakulong tayo, parang huminto ang buhay natin," he said.

 

Meanwhile, for his own personal birthday wish, Revilla said he's leaving his fate up to the Lord.

 

"Kung anong problema man, total surrender kay god. Alam ko di niya ako pabababayaan, so I'm good. Lalabas ang katotohanan, at lalabas ako dito," he said.