MANILA — The Office of the Ombudsman has filed criminal charges against former senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. and six others over an alleged ghost flood control project in Pandi, Bulacan worth P92.8 million, which investigators say was never built despite the release of tens of millions in public funds.
Filed before the Sandiganbayan, the cases include malversation through falsification of public documents and violations of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, stemming from a flood control project in Purok 5, Barangay Bunsuran that existed only on paper.
Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano said the anti-graft body would press the cases regardless of the stature of the accused.
“The Ombudsman will pursue these cases firmly, independently, and without fear or favor,” Clavano said during a press briefing.
Based on the charge sheet, investigators uncovered a coordinated scheme to release government funds for the supposed project despite the absence of any physical construction.
“The information alleges that the respondents conspired to facilitate the release of approximately P76 million for the supposed construction of a flood control project in Purok 5, Barangay Bunsuran, Pandi, Bulacan… a project which, based on official inspection and witness accounts, was never implemented,” Clavano said.
Aside from Revilla and former DPWH Bulacan Assistant District Engineer Brice Hernandez, those charged include engineers Jaypee Mendoza, Arjay Domasig, and Emelita Juat, as well as Juanito Mendoza, finance section chief of the Department of Public Works and Highways Bulacan First District, and Christina Pineda, cashier.
Clavano said records showed that even without construction activity, the project was reported as completed to justify full payment.
“Despite the absence of any actual construction, the respondents declared the project completed. 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,” he said.
The Ombudsman said the contract for the project was awarded on March 28, 2025.
Following the filing of charges, prosecutors sought a special raffle to determine which Sandiganbayan division would hear the cases, and asked the court to issue warrants of arrest and hold departure orders against all seven accused.
“The Office of the Ombudsman is steadfast in its commitment to enforce accountability where public funds are concerned. This [filing of charges] should send a clear message: those who misuse public funds will be held accountable under the law,” Clavano said.
The cases trace their roots to testimony aired during a Senate inquiry, where former DPWH Bulacan District Engineer Henry Alcantara alleged that then DPWH Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo instructed him to reserve funds supposedly earmarked for Revilla.
Bernardo, who also testified before the Senate, claimed that Revilla sought a 25-percent “commitment” from project costs after being shown a list of projects in 2024. He alleged that the amount — estimated at P125 million — was collected and delivered to Revilla’s residence in Cavite.
Both Alcantara and Bernardo were admitted as state witnesses in the flood control cases on January 15.
The charges against Revilla mark the second wave of flood control-related cases filed by the Ombudsman. Under the law, cases involving officials with Salary Grade 27 and above fall under the jurisdiction of the Sandiganbayan. Revilla, who was a sitting senator at the time of the alleged offenses, carried Salary Grade 31./PN
