The camp of former Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. on Wednesday, Dec. 3, claimed that he was never given the chance to explain or defend himself before the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI).

His official spokesperson, Atty. Maria Carissa C. Guinto, stated that Revilla has not received any subpoena or a copy of any complaint against him.

She made the remark in connection with the recommendation by the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) file direct and indirect bribery, corruption of public officials, plunder, and administrative charges against the former senator in relation to alleged anomalous flood control projects.

“We need to clarify that our client, former Senator Ramon Bong Revilla, has not received any subpoena or a copy of any complaint against him. He was never asked to explain. He was never given an opportunity to defend himself,” the statement from Atty. Maria Carissa C. Guinto, Revilla’s official spokesperson, said on Wednesday, Dec. 3.

According to Guinto, Revilla has consistently made himself available to the ICI and welcomed their inquiry, but was never invited to speak or present evidence on his behalf.

“From the beginning, our client made himself fully available to the ICI and openly welcomed their inquiry. Yet he was never invited to speak, never given the opportunity to defend himself, and never allowed to present the truth. He is deeply disappointed to have been denied such a fundamental right, though he still holds trust and faith in the system,” the statement read.

Revilla expressed confidence that the truth will ultimately prevail, particularly as he claims the allegations are based on false accusations from individuals attempting to evade accountability.

“Mr. Revilla remains confident that truth, rather than conjecture, will prevail, especially that the allegations against him are based on the meaningless accusations fabricated by a criminal mastermind and his cohorts who are desperately buying their way to freedom. The assertions of those whose conduct reflects a deliberate pattern of moral bankruptcy are suspect at best, and should not, in any manner, be construed as drawing our client into the web they themselves engineered,” the spokesperson said.

The statement also highlighted that those naming Revilla have themselves admitted to orchestrating and profiting from a syndicate allegedly responsible for massive diversions of public resources.

“Ang mga nagdadawit sa pangalan ni Mr. Revilla ay, sa kanila mismong pag-amin, ang mismong mga bumuo, nagtatag, at nagpatakbo ng sindikato. Sila ang nakinabang sa daang-bilyong piso na ginagamit nila ngayon para bilhin ang kanilang pagtakas sa hustisya (Those who are dragging Mr. Revilla’s name, by their own admission, are the very ones who created, established, and ran the syndicate. They are the ones who benefited from the hundreds of billions of pesos that they are now using to buy their way out of justice.),” Guinto said.

“It bears stressing that these individuals have themselves confessed to orchestrating and sustaining the massive diversion of public resources which inflicted profound and lasting harm on the lives and livelihoods of countless Filipinos,” the statement added.

Revilla’s spokesperson also noted that no preliminary investigation has taken place, and he has not received a copy of any complaint to formally respond to.

“Wala pang preliminary investigation. Hindi pa po kami nabibigyan ng kopya ng complaint para sagutin (There has been no preliminary investigation yet. We have not been given a copy of the complaint to respond to),” the statement read.

The spokesperson lastly stated that once Revilla is accorded his right to a preliminary investigation and an opportunity to be heard by the Ombudsman, he will address the allegations and dispel what they called false narratives.