Metro Manila, Philippines – The Sandiganbayan has reset the pre-trial and arraignment of former Sen. Bong Revilla for his graft and non-bailable malversation charges for Feb. 9, in relation to the anomalous and non-existent P92.8 million flood control project in Pandi, Bulacan.
The postponement was in light of a number of motions from Revilla, as well as his co-accused in the flood control scam.
Revilla’s counsel submitted separate motions in the third and fourth divisions of the anti-graft court to quash the information and arrest warrant.
The third division handles the non-bailable malversation case of Revilla and six others, while the fourth division is for the graft case.
Both divisions deferred the arraignment to Feb. 9. This applies to all the other accused, except from DPWH engineer Emelita Juat, who pleaded not guilty to her graft case.
In an interview, Reody Anthony Balisi, Revilla’s counsel, said his client was denied due process.
“Yung resolution ng ombudsman [The ombudsman resolution], we just received it yesterday. That’s the resolution of the Ombudsman finding probable cause to file or indict the cases on both charges, graft and malversation,” he said.
NewsWatch Plus has reached out to the Office of the Ombudsman for comment.
‘No custody of public funds’
During the hearing, Associate Justice Karl Miranda, Sandiganbayan 3rd division chairperson, cited Revilla’s motion to quash the information saying the “factual allegations do not constitute the offense charged.”
Revilla said he can’t be held accountable for the crime because “he has no custody of public funds.”
The former senator’s defense also questioned the link of the inclusion of the P92.8 million project in the 2025 budget to malversation of public funds.
The camp of accountant Juanito Mendoza filed the same motions, as well as a motion to consolidate the graft and malversation cases.
Mendoza, as cited by Miranda, said the “acts attributed to him are not unlawful” and that he relied on documents verified by other DPWH engineers involved.
The court ordered the prosecution to submit their comment until Jan. 28 on the separate motions.
Pending decision, Sandiganbayan 3rd division Associate Justice Ronald Moreno said the court already assumed jurisdiction of the case.
Miranda reminded both the defense and the prosecution to avoid unnecessary delays and use the time of courts efficiently.
Meanwhile, the third division officials inspected the Quezon City jail facilities in response to Revilla’s appeal to be transferred to the PNP Custodial Center at Camp Crame for security concerns, while Juat wants to stay at the Bulacan provincial jail which is close to her family.
