Former Senator Bong Revilla insisted there is no truth to allegations linking him to the flood control project controversy, declaring he is ready to face any case filed against him.
In a statement on Saturday, Revilla stressed that he is an “easy target” being used to divert the public from the real story.
“Ang naratibo na pilit nilang ikinakasa laban sa akin ay hindi lamang kasinungalingan, ito’y sadyang ‘di kapani-paniwala,” he said.
“I am an easy target being used to muddle the truth, but the truth will always come out.”
He added that his name is being used to mislead the public: “Ginagamit ang aking pangalan para malihis sa katotohanan—ngunit ang katotohanan, kailanman ay hindi matatakpan.”
The Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) earlier recommended to the Office of the Ombudsman the filing of charges against Revilla and 10 others, including alleged direct or indirect bribery, corruption of public officials, plunder, and various administrative sanctions.
Revilla said he will not back down, expressing confidence that the truth is on his side.
“I have lived my life facing all challenges thrown my way. Hindi ako tumakbo, hindi ako nagtago. Hindi ako umurong noon, hindi ako uurong ngayon. At dahil ang katotohanan ay nasa aking panig, haharapin ko ito nang buong tapang at paninindigan.”
He added: “Kasama kayo, nananalig akong sa huli, ang mga tunay na may sala ang mananagot—para sa hustisya at para sa bayan.”
Revilla was previously embroiled in the 2014 PDAF scandal alongside Senator Jinggoy Estrada and the late former Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile. He was detained for nearly four years before being acquitted in 2018.