MANILA — The Office of the Ombudsman has charged former Sen. Bong Revilla and six former DPWH officials in connection with a ₱92.8-million flood control project in Pandi, Bulacan that allegedly never existed.

On Friday, January 16, the Office of the Ombudsman filed its third batch of graft and malversation charges before the Sandiganbayan, seeking non-bailable offenses against Revilla and six former Public Works officials, most of them from the Bulacan District Engineering Office.

Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano personally submitted the complaint, centered on a flood control project in Pandi, Bulacan that investigators say was declared “completed” — despite zero construction on the ground.

“The informations allege that the respondents conspired to facilitate the release of approximately P76 million for the supposed construction of a flood control project in Puroc V, Barangay Bonsuran, Pandi, Bulacan, a project which, based on official inspection and witness accounts, was never implemented,” Clavano said during a press briefing.

Who’s Named in the Case?

Charged alongside Revilla are:

• Assistant District Engineer Brice Hernandez
• Engineer Jaypee Mendoza
• Engineer Arjay Dumasig
• Engineer Emelita Juat
• Accountant Juanito Mendoza
• Cashier II Christina Pineda

Prosecutors accuse the group of malversation of public funds, falsification of public documents, and violations of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, under Articles 217, 171, and 172 of the Revised Penal Code.

Investigators allege that after falsely declaring the project finished, officials pushed through payments using fake paperwork.

“Despite the absence of any actual construction, the respondents declared the project completed,” Clavano said. “Thereafter, to facilitate the release of the entire project cost, the respondents are found to have falsified accomplishment reports, issued fraudulent billing documents and endorsed disbursement vouchers.”

“Non-Bailable Charges Mean Jail”

Clavano stressed that non-bailable charges mean detention while trial is ongoing — similar to the fate of contractor Sarah Discaya, who has been behind bars since December 2025.

“This sends and should send a clear message: those who misuse public funds will be held accountable under the law,” Clavano said. “As we have stated before, this is only the beginning.”

He added that more cases are in the pipeline, with additional fact-finding and preliminary investigations still underway.

Revilla Calls the Allegations Baseless

Revilla has denied the accusations, calling them “baseless.” He attended a Department of Justice preliminary investigation on January 5, where he filed a counter-affidavit through his lawyers disputing claims of bribery and malversation.

The former senator is also facing explosive allegations from ex–Public Works undersecretary Roberto Bernardo, who claims Revilla received 25% kickbacks from flood control projects — including ₱125 million allegedly delivered to Revilla’s home in 2024, and another ₱250 million before the 2025 midterm elections.

The DOJ confirmed that a plunder case tied to the flood control projects is already underway. Separate complaints have also been filed against former Rep. Elizaldy Co and Sen. Jinggoy Estrada.

Revilla previously filed a counter-affidavit in December 2025 in connection with another complaint involving SYMS Construction.

📷 Senate of the Philippines