The Sandiganbayan Third Division has once again postponed the arraignment of former Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. and his co-accused, Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) engineer Juanito Mendoza, due to pending motions that have yet to be resolved, as reported by RH Val Gonzales on Damdaming Bayan.
This marks the second time the reading of the charges against Revilla and Mendoza has been reset.
The deferment stemmed from two motions filed by the defense panels of both accused. One of these is a motion for reconsideration filed by Revilla’s camp seeking the inhibition of Third Division Presiding Judge Karl Miranda. The defense cited Miranda’s alleged friendship with Revilla’s lawyer, Atty. Ramon Esguerra, as grounds for the motion.
Because of the unresolved motions, the court set the re-arraignment of Revilla and Mendoza on February 16, pending the resolution of the pleadings filed by the defense.
Revilla and Mendoza are facing malversation charges in connection with their alleged involvement in anomalous flood control projects, particularly the purportedly non-existent P92.8-million flood control project in Pandi, Bulacan.
Meanwhile, the court proceeded with the arraignment of five other accused in the case. Former DPWH engineers Brice Hernandez and Jaypee Mendoza, along with Arjay Domasig, Emelita Juat, and Christina Mae Pineda, all entered pleas of “not guilty.”
Pre-trial proceedings for the other accused are scheduled to begin on February 25. The court also ordered the parties who have already been arraigned to submit their stipulations of facts, documentary evidence, and affidavits relevant to the trial.
Despite the postponement of the arraignment, the accused were not allowed to leave the Sandiganbayan premises, as they are also set to be arraigned on graft charges related to the same P92.8-million flood control project. The reading of those charges is scheduled at 1:00 p.m. before another division of the anti-graft court.
Also present during the court proceedings were Revilla’s wife, Cavite Representative Lani Revilla, and their son, Representative Jolo Revilla.
