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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Bong Revilla refutes plunder charge in flood control mess

Bong Revilla refutes plunder charge in flood control mess

Published Feb 12, 2026 05:05 pm
Former senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. refuted on Thursday, Feb. 12, the plunder charge filed against him in the government’s flood control projects.
Lawyer Francesca Senga, Revilla’s spokesperson, told journalists that the former senator submitted his counter-affidavit and expressed confidence that the panel of prosecutors of the Department of Justice (DOJ) will recommend the dismissal of the charge.
Revilla arrived at the DOJ Thursday afternoon and was escorted by security personnel of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP). He is detained at the Quezon City jail in Payatas.
There were no details mentioned on the plunder charge or from what flood control project the complaint emanated.
“So, we’re hoping sana they will rule in accordance with law,” Senga said.
However, she said the plunder complaint has not been submitted for resolution by the panel of prosecutors handling the preliminary investigation.
She said the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) submitted last Feb. 10 additional evidence including the alleged contracts of anomalous government flood control projects that has been linked to Revilla.
She added that Revilla was given until Feb. 20 to review the added evidence and to submit the necessary pleadings.
Also present during the preliminary investigation hearing were all of Revilla’s co-respondents -- former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) undersecretary Roberto R. Bernardo, former DPWH Bulacan First District engineer Henry C. Alcantara, DPWH Regional Director Gerard P. Opulencia, and their respective lawyers.
During the hearing, Senga said the lawyers of Bernardo, Alcantara and Opullencia manifested before the panel that they will not be submitting counter-affidavits since they have been discharged as state witnesses.
“The legal team will have to discuss these new developments,” said Senga as she pointed out that Revilla will avail himself of the remedies under the law.
Citing the sworn statements of Opulencia and Alcantara, Senga said “inamin nila na wala silang personal na kaalaman (Opulencia and Alcantara admitted they have no personal knowledge of the case).”
“Kung ano ‘yung sinabi nila base lang kung ano ‘yung sinabi ni Mr. Bernardo (What they narrated was based on what Bernardo said),” she said.
Senga noted that Bernardo has a total of six sworn statements or affidavits which state what he knows about the flood control mess.
However, she emphasized that “nag-iiba-iba ‘yung detalye tapos walang kahit anong supporting evidence (keep changing the details and have no supporting documents).
She cited that Bernardo kept changing the dates when he gave money to Revilla, he kept changing the amounts of money, and he kept changing the number of times money was given.
At the same time, she said that it was impossible for Bernardo and Revilla to have met at a certain groundbreaking ceremony because at that time Revilla was at a fun ride riding a motorcycle and there were many witnesses.
A separate panel of prosecutors also held a preliminary investigation hearing on a separate plunder charge against Sen. Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada.
DOJ Spokesperson Raphael Niccolo L. Martinez told journalists that the respondents in the plunder charge were not yet expected to submit counter-affidavits since the NBI had just submitted additional evidence.
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