By Czarina Nicole Ong Ki

Whistleblower Benhur Luy has concluded on Thursday his testimony in the graft trial of Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. before the Sandiganbayan First Division, with him praising the actor-turned-politician as “kind” but not for the expected reason.

Luy clarified during the hearing that Revilla is “kind” because he agreed to let businesswoman Janet Lim Napoles, his co-accused, to pay his kickbacks on an installment basis.

Revilla is facing one plunder charge and 16 counts of graft because of the misuse of his priority development assistance fund (PDAF), which he reportedly endorsed to the bogus non-government organizations (NGOs) owned by Napoles in exchange for kickbacks.

The other politicians involved in the PDAF scam, according to Luy, always asked for the full payment of their kickbacks.

Revilla’s lawyer Atty. Rheody Anthony Balisi pressed Luy if the installment payment was suggested by Revilla himself. Luy admitted that he never received word directly from Revilla.

Associate Justice Geraldine Faith Econg also asked Luy if he had any proof, like a text message, that would prove Revilla’s connection with the issue. However, the whistleblower confessed that there was no text exchange between him and the senator.

He added that he only got to talk to Revilla’s staff, Atty. Richard Cambe. Luy added that it was only Napoles who had a direct link to Revilla, and his “level” only got through to Cambe.

Last December 7, Revilla was cleared of plunder while Napoles and Cambe were convicted. The accused were “held solidarily and jointly liable” to return P124,500,000 to the national treasury pursuant to Article 100 of the Revised Penal Code, but the 186-page decision failed to indicate who among them should pay.

Because of his acquittal, Revilla was released from the Philippine National Police Custodial Center in Camp Crame, Quezon City where he has been incarcerated for over four years.

Napoles was transferred to the Correctional Institute for Women in Mandaluyong City, while Cambe was ordered confined at the New Bilibid Prison in Sampaguita Road, Muntinlupa City.

The graft trial of Revilla will continue on November 7.