'Sense of entitlement" Bong slams move to allow De Lima to join Senate sessions

There should be no “double standards.”

Senator Bong Revilla Jr. slams what he has called “double standards” and “sense of entitlement” surrounding the proposal to allow detained opposition Senator Leila de Lima to participate in plenary sessions through video conferencing.

Revilla, was detained for four years over plunder charges, was reacting to the signed move by the eight former senators making it public their collective support to let De Lima fully discharge her duties as a lawmaker.

Detained senator Leila De Lima and Senator Bong Revilla Jr.
(photo credit to owner)

"The double standards and sense of entitlement of some people are frankly quite disheartening. When I was incarcerated due to politically motivated charges, which the Court has finally settled in my acquittal, a very vocal group was against my participation in Senate proceedings,” Revilla said in a statement.

"It is funny that among that group were Leila de Lima herself and some of those signatories in the open letter released yesterday,” he added.

The eight signatories are former senators Rene Saguisag, Wigberto "Ka Bobby" Tanada Sr., Sergio "Serge" Osmena III, Antonio "Sonny" Trillanes IV, Paolo Benigno "Bam" Aquino IV, Mar Roxas, Francisco "Kit" Tatad, and Benigno S. Aquino III.

Bong Revilla recounted that during his time in detention, it was the official position of the Senate leadership that the absence of three senators would have no impact on legislation.

"Wala yang pinagkaiba sa sitwasyon ko noon. Halatang-halata naman ang special treatment ‘pag pinayagan ‘yan ngayon (That’s no different from my situation before. It would be obvious that there is special treatment if such case is allowed now),” Revilla said.

"Equal protection and fair play dictate that Leila de Lima cannot be allowed to participate in Senate proceedings, even if only remotely,” he added.

Revilla argued that allowing de Lima to participate in plenary sessions would give her favor over and above other detainees, and allowing her to vote in absence would be a “travesty against the Senate” as a whole as this has no basis in the rules.

In their resolution (No. 51), Senate Minority Leader Drilon and Senator Lacson said she should be allowed to fulfill her mandate by participating in plenary sessions via teleconferencing, video conferencing or other forms of remote or electronic communications.

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Report from PNA