Ramon Revilla wants to head DPWH

Outgoing Sen. Ramon "Agimat" Revilla Sr., who is ending his second and last term as a lawmaker today, wants to head the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

He also wants that his son and namesake, Senator-elect Ramon "Bong" Revilla Jr., to "inherit" the two Senate committees he headed — the committee on public works and highways and the labor committee.

The 77-year-old Revilla administered the oath to his 37-year-old senator-son yesterday at the sprawling family compound in Imus, Cavite.

He told journalists after the ceremonies that he recently met with President Arroyo and asked her what were her plans for him when his term expires.

"She told me I can be her secretary of public works and highways, or be an ambassador or head a government corporation. It’s my choice, I informed her I want to be DPWH secretary," he said in Filipino.

The DPWH is now headed by acting Secretary Florante Soriquez, who has a graft case pending with the Office of the Ombudsman.

Revilla said his chairmanship of the Senate committee on public works and highways continuously for the last 12 years that comprised his two terms qualifies him for the DPWH post.

"Kung hindi matuloy o makalimutan ni Presidente, okay lang sa akin (If it does not pushes through or the President forgets about it, it’s okay with me)," he said.

He said in the 12 years that he was head of the public works and highways committee, he has never been linked to any irregularities.

He obviously must have forgotten the case of a "missing" government-owned Mitsubishi Pajero that the DPWH had assigned to him and which he was using as a security back-up vehicle.

The outgoing senator also revealed that he has talked to Senate President Franklin Drilon and Sen. Manuel Villar Jr. so his son Bong could head the two committees he now chairs.

"Kinausap ko na si Drilon at Villar na kung puede ipamana na nila kay Bong and dalawa kong komite," he said.

Reminded that there could be a conflict of interest if he heads the DPWH and Revilla Jr. chairs the Senate public works and highways committee, Revilla said in such an eventuality, his son should take the labor committee and possibly another panel. — Jess Diaz