Bong Revilla refuses anew to enter plea on 2nd criminal case in P92-M 'ghost' flood control project in Bulacan
Again, former senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. refused to enter any plea when arraigned by the Sandiganbayan on Monday, Feb. 16, on the non-bailable malversation of public funds filed against him and his co-accused in the P92.8 million “ghost” flood control project in Pandi, Bulacan.
With his refusal, the anti-graft court recorded a “not guilty” plea for Revilla.
Last Feb. 9, the court also recorded a “not guilty” plea for Revilla when he refused to enter any plea on his graft case.
Revilla’s arraignment on the malversation case proceeded after the anti-graft court denied last Feb. 10 his motion to inhibit Third Division Chairperson Associate Justice Karl Miranda from the case.
Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Bulacan District Accountant Juanito Mendoza pleaded “not guilty” during the arraignment on the malversation case.
Earlier, Revilla’s co-accused – former DPWH Bulacan District assistant district Engineer Brice Hernandez; engineers Jaypee Mendoza, R.J. Domasig, and Emelita Juat; and cashier Christina Mae Pineda had pleaded “not guilty.”
All the accused are detained at the male and female dormitories of the Quezon City jail in Barangay Payatas.
They have been charged by the Office of the Ombudsman with violations of Article 217 in relation to Articles 171 and 172 of the Revised Penal Code on malversation of public funds through falsification of public documents and graft under Republic Act No. 3019, the anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.
The criminal charges stated that Revilla and his co-accused conspired to facilitate the release of approximately P76 million for the supposed construction of the P92.8 million flood control project in Purok 5, Barangay Bunsuran, Pandi, Bulacan, a project which, based on official inspection and witness accounts, was “never implemented."
The indictment also stated: "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 were found to have falsified accomplishment reports, issued fraudulent billing documents, and endorsed disbursement vouchers."