The Sandiganbayan Third Division has denied former Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla’s bid to dismiss his malversation case over an alleged P92.87 million ghost flood control project in Bulacan and rejected his request to be transferred from the Quezon City Jail in Payatas to the PNP Custodial Facility.
Revilla and co-accused Juanito Mendoza, a DPWH–Bulacan First District Engineering Office accountant, sought to quash the charge of malversation through falsification of public documents, arguing that they are not accountable officers and that no conspiracy was shown.
The ex-lawmaker also said his duties as senator did not involve custody of public funds.
The anti-graft court ruled that the information was sufficient and that the factual allegations clearly state the elements of malversation and falsification. It said Revilla and Mendoza are charged as co-conspirators, making the issue of accountability immaterial at this stage, and added that claims of lack of conspiracy are matters for trial.
The court also denied Revilla’s plea for transfer, saying its January 23 inspection showed that the Payatas jail has adequate security, including guarded steel gates, CCTV cameras, and strict visitor checks. It found no basis for his claims of harm or threats.
The Sandiganbayan further rejected the motion to consolidate the malversation case with a separate anti-graft case pending before another division, saying consolidation would only delay proceedings since the issues and evidence differ.
Revilla and six former DPWH officials are accused of conspiring to defraud the government through the alleged release of funds for a flood control project in Barangay Bunsuran, Pandi, Bulacan, which the Ombudsman said was never implemented.IMT
