THE Sandiganbayan Fourth Division has entered a not guilty plea for former Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. for graft charges in connection to the reported involvement in the ghost flood project in Pandi, Bulacan amountinhg to P92.8 million.
This after Revilla refused to enter a plea at yesterday’s court hearing because his defense team is citing motion to quash the information, which was already denied by the anti-graft court.
Revilla’s camp repeatedly claimed that the former Senator was denied due process on the grounds that he was not given the opportunity to respond to the updated resolution of the Office of the Ombudsman.
His lawyers also argued that the former senator was not an accountable officer and that the allegations in the information did not constitute an offense.
In a related story, DPWH Bulacan First District Engineering Office officials namely Engr, Arjay Domasig and Juanito Mendoza pleaded not guilty to graft charges.
Earlier, other accused, including Assistant District Engr. Brice Hernandez, Engr. Jaypee Mendoza, Engr. Emelita Juat, and Christina Pineda, had also entered not guilty pleas.
Revilla was tagged in the flood control mess after former DPWH Usec. Roberto Bernardo claimed he received kickbacks in exchange for endorsing flood control projects.
The prosecution alleged the respondents connived to divert P76 million funds for the construction of the project, which was never implemented despite being declared completed.
Also yesterday, the Sandiganbayan Third Division rescheduled Revilla’s arraignment for malversation charges, while several of his co-accused entered not guilty pleas.
The court moved the arraignment of Revilla and Mendoza to Feb. 16 pending the resolution of their motions.
In a resolution promulgated on Feb. 5, it ruled that Revilla will remain at the Quezon City Jail Male Dormitory after the former senator expressed security concerns over gang-related violence in the Quezon City Jail in Payatas, where he is detained along with four other male co-accused.
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