Palace agrees with negative public reaction to Revilla's speech

MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang agrees with Filipinos' negative reaction to the privilege speech of Senator Ramon Revilla Jr. at the Senate yesterday.

Presidential Communication Operations Office head Herminio Coloma Jr. said the Palace's new media team tracked the reaction of citizens, which turned out to be unfavorable to the beleaguered senator.

"The overwhelming trend is negative and we agree with our bosses," Coloma said in a press briefing.

Coloma refused to comment further on Revilla's speech, saying it is more important to get the pulse of the people.

"It is best that we listen to the taxpayers whose money is being spent on such exercise (Revilla's speech)," he said.

"We prefer at this time to focus and devote our energies and efforts to doing our duties and pursuing the reform programs of the government," the Palace official added.

In his speech yesterday, Revilla called for political unity and challenged Aquino to lead the country with love and not hate.

But Coloma defended the President, saying he has been enjoying the trust and confidence of Filipinos as shown by his high approval ratings.

"Hindi naman po sigurong makatwiran na ganoon ang magiging konklusyon (Aquino ruling with hate)," Coloma said.

The Palace official also respects Revilla's use of a music video presentation that was ridiculed later on social media.

"Demokrasya naman po tayo. Siguro naman covered hindi lamang ng rules of the senate but freedom of expression ang kanyang ginawa," Coloma said.

Revilla is among the personalities allegedly involved in the pork barrel scam who have been charged with plunder at the Sandiganbayan.

He delivered a privilege speech yesterday ahead of his imminent arrest for allegedly pocketing his pork barrel funds using bogus foundations of suspected scam mastermind Janet Lim-Napoles.

Related: Ready to face jail, emotional Revilla thanks senators with own song