MANILA – The Department of Justice’s (DOJ) preliminary investigation into alleged “ghost” flood control projects in Bulacan has moved a step closer to former senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr., who is now formally included as a respondent — prompting him to denounce the accusations as politically motivated and “incredible.”
The DOJ earlier confirmed that Revilla and former Ako Bicol party-list representative Zaldy Co were identified as “proponents” of projects flagged as non-existent. Revilla was specifically tagged in a complaint involving SYMS Construction, following endorsements by the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI).
ICI’s recommendation was anchored on statements by former Public Works Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo, who alleged that Revilla received a 25 percent commission from flood control allocations — a claim the former lawmaker has repeatedly and strongly denied.
Revilla said the new accusations are part of a deliberate attempt to drag his name into a controversy in which he insists he played no role.
“Ang naratibo na pilit nilang ikinakasa laban sa akin ay hindi lamang kasinungalingan, ito’y sadyang ‘di kapani-paniwala,” Revilla said in a Facebook post. “I am an easy target being used to muddle the truth, but the truth will always come out.”
He criticized the ICI for allegedly failing to give him an opportunity to defend himself during its fact-finding stage, calling the process one-sided.
“Ginagamit ang aking pangalan para malihis sa katotohanan — ngunit ang katotohanan, kailanman ay hindi matatakpan,” he said. “I have lived my life facing all challenges thrown my way. Hindi ako tumakbo, hindi ako nagtago. Hindi ako umurong noon, hindi ako uurong ngayon. At dahil ang katotohanan ay nasa aking panig, haharapin ko ito nang buong tapang at paninindigan.”
He added: “Kasama kayo, nananalig akong sa huli, ang mga tunay na may sala ang mananagot—para sa hustisya at para sa bayan.”
Meanwhile, Prosecutor General Richard “Dong” Fadullon confirmed that Revilla’s legal team has asked for more time to answer the charges.
“There’s a request for extension to file the counter-affidavit. So the panel will act accordingly… we just have to see and await the results of the preliminary investigation,” Fadullon said.
The DOJ probe continues as the controversy widens, with multiple lawmakers and contractors now under scrutiny in what could become one of the most far-reaching infrastructure corruption cases in years./PN
