Sandiganbayan allows Bong Revilla to challenge indictment in P92.8-M flood control project
The Sandiganbayan gave the Office of the Ombudsman 60 days to resolve the motion of former senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. to reconsider the filing against him of graft and non-bailable malversation of public funds cases in the P92.8 million flood control project in Pandi, Bulacan.
In a resolution dated Feb. 13, the court’s third division granted the appeal of Revilla and his co-accused, Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Bulacan Office Accountant Juanito Mendoza, to file a motion for reconsideration before the Ombudsman.
"The Ombudsman is directed to resolve the same within 60 days. The Ombudsman is further directed to submit the required certifications under Section 1, Rule XIII of the 2018 Revised Internal Rules," the dispositive portion of the resolution stated.
In the same resolution, the anti-graft court said that granting Revilla and Mendoza the permission to file their motion “will not affect the proceedings" and the resolution of the motion for reconsideration by the Ombudsman "may proceed concurrently" with the proceedings in the case.
In a press briefing, Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano said the panel of prosecutors will be resolving the motion for reconsideration filed by Revilla and Mendoza.
"That is really the process. If there is an MR (motion for reconsideration), it is also resolved by us," Clavano said.
"We will ask the panel of prosecutors to resolve that if ever it is already pending so that we can come up with another resolution based on the MR now," he added.
At the same time, Clavano said he believes there is a strong case against Revilla given the due diligence exerted by the investigative teams.
Since the Sandiganbayan already issued a warrant of arrest against Revilla and his co-accused, Clavano said that "they also did their independent determination of probable cause."
He added that the Office of the Ombudsman is busy working on several flood-control cases. While Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla was in Baguio, he continued to coordinate with various agencies and investigative teams, he also said.
He stressed: "And I can only tell you that the momentum is getting stronger. We're getting more evidence. We're meeting more persons of interest. And our investigation is already very deep."