Sandiganbayan trial begins vs Bong Revilla over alleged P92.8M flood control project
By Jel Santos
(JEL SANTOS/MB FILE PHOTO)
The Third Division of the Sandiganbayan on Tuesday, May 5, commenced trial in the malversation of public funds case against former senator Ramon Bong Revilla Jr. and six co-accused.
Revilla’s co-accused include Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Assistant District Engineer Brice Hernandez; engineers Jaypee Mendoza, R.J. Domasig, and Emelita Juat; as well as accountants Juanito Mendoza and Christina Mae Pineda.
Revilla and his co-accused were charged in connection with a P92.8-million flood control project in Pandi, Bulacan.
During the hearing, Associate Justice Ronald R. Moreno granted the prosecution’s motion to recall DPWH records custodian Jason Cruz to the stand.
According to Prosecutor Maria Cristina Marallag-Batacan, Cruz will present the Official Record Book from the DPWH Bulacan First District Engineering Office.
Cruz said he received the record book on June 26, 2025.
When asked by Moreno whether there is a prescribed period for forwarding such documents, Cruz said he was not aware of any requirement.
“Hindi ko po alam, your honor (I don’t know, your honor),” he said.
Moreno then quipped: “Nagpunta ka pa rito kung wala kang alam (Why did you even come here if you don’t know anything)?”
Meanwhile, Marallag-Batacan asked the anti-graft court to cancel next week’s scheduled hearing to give way to the week-long anniversary celebration of the Office of the Ombudsman.
The Sandiganbayan granted the request and set the next trial dates on May 19 and 20.
On Jan. 16, 2026, the Office of the Ombudsman filed malversation and graft charges before the Sandiganbayan against Revilla over the alleged anomalous infrastructure project in Pandi, Bulacan.