In support of the call for transparency and accountability of public officials, Lakas ng Tao-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD) President Senator Ramon Bong Revilla, Jr. signed a waiver to fully disclose all his bank deposits, whether it is in peso or dollar account.

Under the waiver, the Ombudsman can immediately scrutinize the senator’s local and foreign financial accounts anytime, even without prior consent. “All they (Office of the Ombudsman) have to do is inform the bank of their intention to examine my account. No ifs or buts,” he said.

The lawmaker admitted that it never came to his mind to sign a waiver on his dollar account during the impeachment trial. “With due respect to my colleagues who mentioned in their explanatory statement that they are signing a waiver, my focus during the last days of the trial is what verdict I will render. As I said before, it is one of the toughest decisions of my life,” Revilla explained.

According to Revilla, it was only after the impeachment trial that he considered signing a waiver. “After the trial, we appealed to our countrymen and fellow public servants to finally put the impeachment issue to rest and work together for the healing of the wounds of our past and re-strengthening of our institutions. It was only then when I realized that the waiver signing would be a right move forward for our country. We want to prove that we are sincere in our call,” he said.

The senator expressed acclamation on the chief justice for signing a waiver. “For me, the unconditional waiver is not a challenge but an inspiration. Whatever the final outcome of the trial was, the signing of the waiver will be his greatest legacy. All public servants, appointed or elected, and regardless of position in government, must also do the same,” said Revilla, adding that he will support any legislative proposal to oblige all public officials to bare all their bank accounts, even if it is a dollar account.

Revilla said he will submit his waiver to the Office of the Ombudsman and concerned banking institutions this week.

Bilang suporta sa panawagan para sa transparency at accountability ng mga public officials, pumirma si Lakas ng Tao-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD) President Senator Ramon Bong Revilla, Jr. ng waiver para sa buong paglalantad ng kanyang mga bank deposits, kabilang ang kanyang dollar account.

Sa ilalim ng waiver, maaring busisiin kaagad ng Ombudsman ang kanyang local at foreign financial accounts anumang oras, kahit walang abiso sa kanya, “Ang gagawin lang nila (Tanggapan ng  Ombudsman)  ay inpormahan ang bangko na gusto nilang bulatlatin ang aking account.  No ifs or buts,” aniya.

Inamin ng mambabatas na hindi niya naisip na pumirma ng waiver noong kasassagan ng  during the impeachment trial. “Nirerespeto natin ang ginawang pagbanggit ng ilan nating kasamahan sa kanilang explanatory statement na pipirma sila ng waiver. Tayo naman, noong mga huling araw ng paglilitis ay nakatuon sa ating magiging hatol. Sabi ko nga dati,  isa ito sa mga matitinding desisyon sa aking buhay,“  paliwanag ni Revilla.

Ayon pa kay Revilla, matapos ang impeachment trial ay saka niya nakunsidera ang paglagda sa waiver. “Matapos ang paglilitis, umapela tayo sa ating mga kababayan at kapwa lingkod-bayan na tuluyan nang isara ang isyu ng impeachment trial at magtulungan para hilumin ang mga sugat n gating nakaraan at muling patibayin an gating mga institusyon. Doon ko lang napagtanto na ang waiver signing ay isang tamang hakbang para sumulong ang ating bansa. Gusto nating patunayan na sinsero tayo sa ating panawagan,“ wika niya.

Nagpahayag naman ng papuri ang senador sa pagpiirma ng waiver ng punong-hukom.  “Para sa akin, ang unconditional waiver ay hindi isang hamon kundi isang inspirasyon.  Kahit ano pa ang naging pinal na hatol, ang pagpirma niya nun ang kanyang magiging greatest legacy. Dapat gawin din ito ng lahat ng mga lingkod-bayan,  halal man o appointed, anuman ang posisyon sa gobyerno,” ani Revilla, na dinagdag pang susuportahan niya ang anumang lehistradong panukala na mag-oobliga sa lahat ng mga pampublikong opisyal na ilabas ang lahat ng kanilang bank account, kahit ito pa ay dollar account.

Sinabi ni Revilla na isusumite niya ngayong linggo ang kanyang waiver sa Office of the Ombudsman at mga kaukulang banking institution.