Metro Manila, Philippines – A Department of Justice (DOJ) preliminary investigation into ghost flood control projects in Bulacan – initially focused solely on officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) – has been expanded to include two former lawmakers, Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. and Zaldy Co, who have been identified as the supposed budget proponents.
In a press briefing on Friday, Dec. 5, Prosecutor General Richard Fadullon said three of the five cases involving anomalous Bulacan projects have been submitted for resolution. The remaining two have been delayed due to the addition of new respondents.
“Initially, those who were charged in those two cases only involved DPWH officials but eventually there were pieces of evidence that were submitted by the National Bureau of Investigation and this time it included proponents,” Fadullon explained.
When asked who the proponents were, he named former Senator Revilla and resigned Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Co, who previously served as chair of the House appropriations committee.
DOJ spokesperson Polo Martinez said the cases involved SYMS Construction Trading, the contractor that admitted in congressional hearings to lending its license to officials of the DPWH Bulacan First District Engineering Office, which allegedly facilitated the ghost projects.
“Revilla and Co are also respondents in complaints filed by the NBI involving ghost projects of Wawao Builders and Topnotch Catalyst Builders. However, please note that the cases pertaining to Wawao and Topnotch are still currently undergoing initial evaluation which comes prior to the conduct of preliminary investigation,” Martinez added.
Fadullon said Revilla requested an extension to file his counter-affidavit, which the DOJ granted, giving him five more days.
Earlier this week, the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) recommended plunder, bribery, and administrative charges against Revilla and nine others, based on the testimony of former DPWH Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo, who claimed he delivered kickbacks to the then senator.
Revilla has denied the allegations and questioned the ICI recommendation, saying the body never invited him to explain his side.
Co is already facing graft and malversation charges before the Sandiganabayan over an anomalous flood control project in Oriental Mindoro. He is part of the first batch of accused to be charged before the anti-graft court. The Sandiganbayan has ordered the arrest of Co and 17 others.
Co remains out of the country. He has denied the allegations and, in turn, made sweeping accusations implicating even President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.—claims the President has denied.
