Malacañang urges Senator Bong Revilla to respond to allegations linking him to the pork barrel scam instead of bringing up what they call unrelated issues against President Aquino. Communications Secretary Sonny Coloma said though the President did meet with Revilla in Malacañang prior to the vote on the impeachment trial of Chief Justice Renato Corona, it was only to tell the senator to decide on the merits of the case. He admitted it was difficult to secure a two-thirds vote for a conviction. He added there was nothing wrong about the meeting. Coloma also pointed out the speeches of Revilla and other senators who voted for conviction at the last day of the trial showed no signs of coercion. ANC Dateline Philippines, January 21, 2014