Former Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla’s camp said Wednesday that the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) never gave him the opportunity to present his account of the alleged irregularities in infrastructure projects for which the commission is filing a case against him.

“We need to clarify that our client, former Senator Ramon Bong Revilla has not received any subpoena or a copy of any complaint against him. He was never asked to explain. He was never given an opportunity to defend himself,” Revilla’s spokesperson, Atty. Maria Guinto said.

Revilla was “deeply disappointed” that, despite having welcomed the ICI’s inquiry, he was not afforded due process, the former lawmaker’s lawyer said.

Moreover, Revilla denied the allegations against him, dismissing them as “meaningless accusations” contrived by a “criminal mastermind.” He pointed out that those implicating him have, by their own admission, been running a syndicate and are now buying their way out of accountability with the hundreds of billions they stole.

“Ang mga nagdadawit sa pangalan ni Mr. Revilla ay, sa kanila mismong pag-amin, ang mismong bumuo, nagtatag, at nagpatakbo ng sindikato. Sila ang nakinabang sa daang-bilyong piso na ginagamit nila ngayon para bilhin ang kanilang pagtakas sa hustisya,” the statement read.

The former senator vowed that, when accorded the right to preliminary investigation, he will completely “dispel the false narratives” against him.

Earlier in the day, the ICI announced that it will be filing charges against Senator Revilla, former Las Piñas Councilor Carlo Aguilar, and others before the Office of the Ombudsman.