Two divisions of the Sandiganbayan will handle the proceedings on the graft and non-bailable malversation of public funds cases filed against former senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. and his co-accused.

Revilla and his co-accused Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) officials in Bulacan were charged in the P92.8 million flood control project in Pandi town.

It is expected that the two divisions will now start evaluating the evidence submitted by the Office of the Ombudsman to determine probable cause that will lead to the issuance of an arrest order.

Once an arrest order is issued, the Ombudsman is also expected to petition the anti-graft court for the issuance of hold departure order (HDO) that will prevent the accused from leaving the Philippines.

Aside from Revilla, also charged were DPWH assistant district engineer Brice Hernandez; Engineers Jaypee Mendoza, R.J. Domasig, and Emelita Juat; and accountant Juanito Mendoza and Christina Mae Pineda.

The graft case was raffled to the court’s fourth division, while the malversation of public funds case was assigned to the third division.

The criminal charges stated that “the accused conspired to facilitate the release of approximately P76 million for the supposed construction of the P72.8 million flood control project in Purok 5, Barangay Bunsuran, Pandi, Bulacan, a project which, based on official inspection and witness accounts, was never implemented."

During the filing of the cases last Friday, Jan. 16, Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano, quoting from the charge sheets, said: “Despite the absence of any actual construction, the respondents declared the project completed. Thereafter, to facilitate the release of the entire project cost, the respondents are found to have falsified accomplishment reports, issued fraudulent billing documents, and endorsed disbursement vouchers."

If arrest warrants are issued by the Sandiganbayan, all the accused will be detained pending trial of the cases, Clavano said.