Metro Manila, Philippines – Former Sen. Bong Revilla may possibly face plunder case again – this time on his alleged involvement in the flood control scandal, while four others have been recommended for the ombudsman’s investigative review, according to the latest case referral of the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI).
On Wednesday, Dec. 3, the ICI recommended plunder, direct or indirect bribery, and administrative charges against Revilla and nine others.
In a press briefing, ICI Chairman Andres Reyes said the testimony of former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo held weight in their latest referral.
Bernardo tagged the former senator as a recipient of kickbacks from flood control projects.
In his testimony on Nov. 14, the former DPWH executive said P125 million in cash was delivered to Revilla’s residence in Cavite in December 2024 for his reelection bid.
Bernardo said another P250 million was sent to his residence in Bacoor, Cavite before the 2025 midterm elections.
In a statement via his spokesperson, the lawmaker said “the allegations against him are based on the meaningless accusations fabricated by a criminal mastermind and his
cohorts who are desperately buying their way to freedom.”
“From the beginning, our client made himself fully available to the ICI and openly welcomed their inquiry. Yet he was never invited to speak, never given the opportunity to defend himself,” said Maria Carissa Guinto, Revilla’s spokesperson.
In 2018, the Sandiganbayan acquitted Revilla of plunder in the priority development assistance fund (PDAF) scandal, or the pork barrel scam.
The ICI has also recommended the same charges for tech billionaire Maynard Ngu, the supposed bagman of Sen. Chiz Escudero. Ngu served was special envoy to China for trade, investment, and tourism from 2023 to 2025.
Eight others, including personalities linked to some senators, were also recommended to be charged:
- Carleen Villa
- Gerard Opulencia
- Manny Bulusan
- Ruel Umali
- Gene Ryan Altea
- J.Y . Dela Rosa
- Mrs. Patron
- Carlo Aguilar
This was the eighth case referral of the ICI since it was formed in September.
The commission submitted new evidence as well that could lead to more charges against eight officials who were previously recommended to be charged, including former House appropriations chairman Zaldy Co, former DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan, and Commission on Audit Commissioner Mario Lipana.
Investigative review vs four senators
Meanwhile, the ICI recommended further investigative review against four incumbent and sitting senators – all implicated by Bernardo in the alleged kickback scheme.
They are Sen. Escudero, Sen. Mark Villar, former Sen. Nancy Binay and former Sen. Grace Poe.
READ: Ex-DPWH exec details alleged flood control project scheme with former, incumbent senators
“We need more witnesses. Pangalawa (secondly) we are not washing our hands from these cases, we are joining hands with the ombudsman,” said Reyes.
In a statement, Poe, who was Senate finance committee chairperson in 2024, said the recommendation for further investigation against her was a “clear acknowledgement that former Usec Bernardo’s allegations against me are false and that there is no evidence to support the filing of charges against me.”
Others have yet to issue statements.
