CAVITE, Philippines – The son of detained senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr was on bended knees on Thursday, March 17, as he asked Caviteños to support the tandem of Senators Grace Poe and Francis Escudero in the May 2016 polls.

Cavite Vice Governor Jolo Revilla fell on his knees 3 times before voters in the cities of Dasmariñas and Bacoor during the Poe-Escudero sortie, each time imploring them to support his candidates.

On the third time he knelt before the crowd in Bacoor City, he said: “Naniniwala ako dahil sila ay may paninindigan at puso para sa mamamayang Pilipino….Kahit lumuhod pa ako sa inyong harapan, (I believe in them because their conviction and sentiments are pro-Filipino….Even if I have to kneel before you).” 

The Revilla family is endorsing Poe and Escudero. While the family belongs to Lakas-CMD – the detained senator is currently the party’s chairman – Jolo said their endorsement does not reflect the party stand. 

Lakas-CMD is the party of former president now reelectionist Gloria Arroyo, who is said to be supporting Vice President Jejomar Binay.

With the Revillas’ endorsement, some critics were quick to point out that there might be a special deal brewing on the case of the detained senator – something that Poe and the Revillas are strongly denying.

Revilla is detained over corruption allegations in connection with the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) scam. He earlier cried foul over “political persecution” by the administration.

Jolo said they only asked Poe “not to interfere with his father’s case.”

“As I always say, any candidate who goes here to our province, we are not asking anything from them in return. We are just asking na ‘wag nila pakialaman yung sa kaso ng tatay ko (not to meddle with the case of my father). Kumbaga, hayaan na nila yung justice to take its course, ‘yun lang po, (They should just let justice take its course, that’s all)” the vice governor said in a chance interview.

If she is elected president, Poe said she would not meddle in the case and would push for a “speedy” and “fair” trial.

Asked if there was any arrangement made, Poe said: “Wala. Alam mo ito talaga ‘yung malinaw: walang hinihiling na kapalit ukol diyan, kung hindi lamang na sana maging patas ang pagdinig. Lahat naman ‘yan ang gusto natin e – mabilis na paglilitis at patas na pagdinig,” she said.

(None. This is clear: there was nothing asked in exchange of the endorsement, other than there be a fair trial. That’s what everyone wants – the speedy and fair disposition of the case.)

“Bilang pangulo, hindi ako makikialam sa mga kaso. Iyon ang puwede kong gawin. Kasi mahirap rin naman kung ang pangulo ay nagdidiin laban sa mga katunggali. Hindi rin naman ‘yon makatarungan,” Poe added.

(As president, I will not meddle with the case. That’s what I can do. Because it’s also difficult if the president will persecute his or her opponents, That’s not fair also.) – Rappler.com