Willie Revillame donates P5M to affected jeepney drivers

MANILA, Philippines — Television host Willie Revillame on Friday said he is donating P5 million to jeepney drivers who lost their livelihood due lockdown and P100,000 each to the families of four Filipinos who were killed in the powerful explosions in Beirut, Lebanon.

Appearing in Malacañang’s regular online briefing, Revillame sought for presidential spokesperson Harry Roque’s help on how he could extend help to jeepney drivers who were seen begging for alms to cope with the pandemic.

Friday's press briefing with Willie Revillame and Cavite Governor Jonvic Remulla pic.twitter.com/YYboLq3xtD

— Harry Roque (@attyharryroque) August 7, 2020

“Nabanggit ko sa inyo dati na gusto kong tumulong,” Revillame told Roque. “Ngayon, sa sarili kong pinagipunan dahil ako naman po ay may trabaho ngayon, syempre napakahirap, gusto kong tumulong una doon sa mga jeepney drivers.”

(I told you before that I want to help. Now, from my own savings since I still have a job, I want to help the jeepney drivers.)

“I am willing to give sa aking naipon, at hindi naman po ito pagmamayabang no, ito lang ang puwede ko maitulong sa gobyerno kasi hindi naman ako puwede lumapit kay Mr. President na ito ang ibibigay ko, hindi maganda tignan. Siguro sa inyo na lang, ang balak ko po ay magbigay ng P5 million ngayon sa araw na ito at handa ako, at ibibigay sa mga jeepney driver na talagang namamalimos na,” Revillame said.

(I am willing to give some of my savings. This is not to brag, this is my way of helping the government. I cannot go to Mr. President and say that this is what I will give. That’s not nice to see. Maybe it’s better to give it to you. I plan to give P5 million today to jeepney drivers who are already begging for alms.)

Roque said he will turnover Revillame’s donation to the Department of Social Welfare and Development and the Department of Transportation.

“Meron po talaga silang sistema ng ayuda na pinamimigay sa mga jeepney driver. Sisiguraduhin po natin na lahat ng P5 million na ibibigay ninyo ngayon ay makakarating po sa mga jeepney driver,” Roque assured.

(The agencies really have a system in providing cash aid to jeepney drivers. We will make sure that all of the P5 million you will donate will go to the jeepney drivers.)

Saying he’s “blessed” to have a job amid the pandemic, Revillame said he would take his donation to “another step” by extending help to kin of four overseas Filipinos who died in the recent Beirut explosion.

“Nabasa ko yung nangyari sa Beirut. Para pag tutulong, lubus-lubusin mo na, yung apat na pamilya po na naulila, I’m willing to give P100,000 each sa mga kababayan natin,” Revillame said.

(I read what happened in Beirut. So that when you help, it will extend to more people, I’m willing to give P100,000 each to the four families of those who died.)

The donation for the families will be turned over to the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, Roque said.

Roque’s recent briefings were hosted by Revillame in Wil Tower as the New Executive Building in Malacañang remains closed after several employees tested positive for COVID-19.

JPV