Metro Manila, Philippines – A second high-profile case in the flood control corruption scandal has been filed at the anti-graft court Sandiganbayan, this time against former Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. and six alleged cohorts over an anomalous flood control project in Bulacan.
The Office of the Ombudsman filed charges of graft and malversation of public funds through falsification of public documents on Friday, Jan. 16. This is in connection with the ₱92.8-million flood control project in Pandi, Bulacan which was awarded in March 2025 but never implemented.
The prosecution recommended no bail, meaning Revilla and the other respondents will be detained pending trial once arrest warrants are issued, Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano said.
Other respondents are former officials and personnel of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Bulacan First District Engineering Office. They are former engineers Brice Hernandez and Jaype Mendoza – now under Senate detention for contempt – with Arjay Domasig and Emelita Juat, as well as accountant Juanito Mendoza and cashier Cristina Pineda.
“The informations allege that the respondents conspired to facilitate the release of approximately P76 million for the supposed construction of a flood control project in Purok 5, Barangay Bonsuran, Pandi, Bulacan, a project which, based on official inspection and witness accounts, was never implemented,” Clavano said.
“Despite the absence of any actual construction, the respondents declared the project completed,” he added.
Clavano said the respondents allegedly falsified accomplishment reports, issued fraudulent billing documents, and endorsed disbursement vouchers to facilitate the release of funds.
Revilla is the second former lawmaker to face a Sandiganbayan case over the flood control scandal, following former AKO BICOL party-list Rep. and House appropriations committee chair Zaldy Co, who has yet to be arrested and is believed to be in Portugal.
Revilla has earlier denied involvement in anomalous flood control projects, much less kickbacks from them. NewsWatch Plus has reached out to him for comment.
Revilla was previously detained for more than four years for allegedly pocketing millions of pesos from his Priority Development Assistance Fund, or pork barrel, which has since been declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court. He was acquitted of plunder charges in 2018.
