Lakas-CMD: Bong Revilla to run for Senate seat in 2019

(Eagle News) — Detained former senator Bong Revilla is running for a Senate seat in 2019.

This is according to his party, the Lakas-CMD, which issued a statement on Friday, Oct. 5.

“This decision was reached after a series of consultations with his family, close friends, constituents and political leaders,” former Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez, Lakas-CMD president, said.

According to Romualdez, Revilla’s “passion and dedication to serve the people will bring positive change and help improve the country’s good governance, policies, and lawmaking process.”

“His experience as a two-term senator has helped him gain an understanding about the complexities of various problems besetting the nation,” he said.

“Senator Bong’s integrity and honesty will make him a strong candidate for the Senate,” he added.

Revilla, who is detained in Camp Crame, stands accused of plunder for allegedly amassing P224.5 million worth of kickbacks from his Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF), which was diverted to fake organizations set up allegedly by Janet Lim Napoles.

The Lakas-CMD also vowed to back candidates to be endorsed by Hugpong ng Pagbabago, Davao Mayor Sara Duterte’s regional party.