Manila: Embattled former Sen. Ramon 'Bong' Revilla Jr. appeared before the Sandiganbayan anti-graft court, where he is accused alongside six others of alleged involvement in a PHP92.8-million ghost flood control project in Pandi, Bulacan. The court has decided to defer and reschedule the arraignment and pre-trial pending the resolution of a motion to quash filed by Revilla's defense team. The prosecution has been given until January 28 to submit its comments on the defense's motions.
According to Philippines News Agency, Revilla, who has consistently denied the allegations, faces charges of graft and malversation of public funds through falsification of public documents. The case has also brought into the spotlight other accused individuals, including engineers Brice Hernandez, Jaypee Mendoza, Arjay Domasig, and Emelita Capistrano Juat from the Department of Public Works and Highways-Bulacan 1st District Engineering Office. Accountant Juanito Mendoza and cashier Christina Mae del Rosario Pineda are also implicated.
Revilla's family, led by his wife, Cavite Representative Lanie Mercado-Revilla, was present at the anti-graft court to show support. This case follows Revilla's acquittal in 2018 of plunder charges related to irregularities in legislative discretionary funds.
