The Office of the Ombudsman on Friday, January 16, filed multiple criminal charges against former Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. and six officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)-Bulacan First Engineering District over alleged anomalous flood control projects worth ₱92.8 million in Pandi, Bulacan.
Revilla and his co-accused are facing charges of malversation of public funds through falsification of public documents, as well as violations of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act. The cases stem from alleged “ghost” flood control projects that were reportedly paid for using public funds but were never implemented.
Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano said the investigation revealed that the questioned infrastructure projects, amounting to ₱92.8 million, were non-existent despite documentation indicating their completion and fund release.
Also charged are DPWH Bulacan First District Engineering Office officials: Assistant District Engineer Brice Hernandez, Engineers Jaypee Mendoza, Arjay Domasig, and Emelita Juat, along with Juanito Mendoza and Christina Pineda.
The Ombudsman prosecutor recommended no bail for the malversation charges. Simultaneously with the filing of the cases, the Ombudsman also submitted to the Sandiganbayan an urgent motion for special raffle, as well as the immediate issuance of warrants of arrest and hold departure orders against the accused.
Clavano said once arrest warrants are issued, the seven accused are expected to remain in detention while the trial proceeds over the alleged ghost flood control projects in Pandi, Bulacan.
