MANILA – Former Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. appeared before the Sandiganbayan anti-graft court on Friday in connection with a PHP92.8-million alleged ghost flood control project in Pandi, Bulacan.

Revilla, along with six others, stands accused of graft and malversation of public funds through falsification of public documents. Others charged in the case include Department of Public Works and Highways-Bulacan 1st District Engineering Office engineers Brice Hernandez, Jaypee Mendoza, Arjay Domasig, and Emelita Capistrano Juat; accountant Juanito Mendoza; and cashier Christina Mae del Rosario Pineda.

The Sandiganbayan deferred and rescheduled the arraignment and pre-trial proceedings pending resolution of a motion to quash filed by Revilla’s lawyers. The court gave the prosecution until January 28 to submit comments on the defense’s motions.

Revilla’s family, led by his wife, Cavite Representative Lanie Mercado-Revilla, was also present at the court.

The former senator, who has denied the charges, was acquitted in 2018 of plunder related to irregularities in legislative discretionary funds.

(PNA)