MANILA — The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has filed a motion to include four former district engineers as additional respondents in the plunder complaint against former Senator Ramon Bong Revilla Jr., Justice spokesperson Polo Martinez said.

In a report, the individuals named are former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) NCR engineers Denryl Caesar Cortuna, Manny Bulusan, Ruel Umali, and Arturo Gonzales Jr.

“Nakita po ng NBI na based on the evidence that they currently have, itong apat po na ito are being charged by them, or may allegation of conspiracy which includes them. So parte daw po sila sa conspiracy of plunder,” Martinez said.
(The NBI saw that based on the evidence that they currently have, these four individuals are being alleged of conspiracy. So they are allegedly part of the conspiracy of plunder.)

Subpoenas were issued against the four engineers earlier on Friday. Martinez said they will be given the chance to file counter-affidavits to present their defenses.

“Syempre pagbibigyan din po sila ng pag kakataon makapag file ng kontrasalaysay nila wherein they could include their defenses,” he said.
(Of course, they will be given the chance to file their counter-affidavit, where they could include their defenses.)

With these developments, the next preliminary hearing is set for March 3.

Revilla’s other co-respondents include former DPWH Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo, former DPWH district engineer Henry Alcantara, former DPWH regional director Gerard Opulencia, and John/Jane Does. Among them, only Revilla has filed a counter-affidavit.

According to Revilla’s camp, some co-respondents indicated they will no longer respond to the complaint as they have been discharged under the Witness Protection Program (WPP).

Martinez previously said respondents considered as state witnesses may choose to submit either a manifestation or a counter-affidavit.