Former Senator Revilla Charged in P93-Million Bulacan Ghost Project Scandal
The Office of the Ombudsman has filed graft and malversation charges against former Senator Ramon "Bong" Revilla Jr. and six former Bulacan public works officials in connection with an alleged P92.8-million ghost flood control project.
Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano announced Friday that the charges were filed in the Sandiganbayan, alleging the group conspired to release at least P76 million as payment for a nonexistent project in Purok V, Barangay Bunsuran in Pandi, Bulacan.
Fraudulent Documentation Scheme
"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," Clavano explained.
Official inspections and witness accounts revealed that while the project was never implemented, it was reported as "completed" to justify the money release. The project was allegedly awarded to a private contractor in March 2025.
Six DPWH Officials Dismissed
Revilla's six co-accused from the Bulacan 1st District Engineering Office include Assistant DEO chief Brice Hernandez, engineers Jaypee Mendoza, Arjay Mendoza and Emelita Juat, finance section chief Juanito Mendoza, and cashier Christina Pineda. All six have been dismissed from the Department of Public Works and Highways.
The Ombudsman did not specify Revilla's exact role in the conspiracy, noting the former senator hails from Cavite province. No construction company representatives were named as co-respondents.
Part of Wider Corruption Scandal
This case marks the second set of charges brought to the Sandiganbayan and the third overall since the flood control corruption scandal emerged in August last year. The investigation has exposed irregularities in the government's P500-billion flood control program spanning 2022 to 2025.
Revilla was first linked to the scandal during a September 2025 Senate hearing when former Public Works Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo testified that he allegedly delivered P125 million in kickbacks to the former senator's residence in December 2024.
Bernardo also claimed he sent an aide to deliver another P250 million to Revilla before the 2025 midterm elections, where the former senator lost his reelection bid.
Legal Defense and Ongoing Probe
Revilla's lawyer, Francesca Señga, maintains the allegations are "absolute lies" based on "incredible and incompetent evidence." The former senator has submitted counteraffidavits to the Department of Justice.
The Senate blue ribbon committee will resume hearings next week, with Senate President Vicente "Tito" Sotto III issuing subpoenas for former Ako Bicol Rep. Elizaldy Co and 11 others to appear.
All malversation cases are nonbailable as the amounts exceed the P8.8-million threshold. The Ombudsman emphasized its "relentless" commitment to accountability in public fund management.
"This is only the beginning," Clavano stated. "Our commitment to accountability shall be relentless, deliberate and in accordance with the law."