Dennis Gasgonia

Article (news)

Job Manahan

ABS-CBN News

<p>MANILA  – The graft trial of former senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla, Jr. and six of his co-accused from DPWH Bulacan 1st District Engineering Office (DEO) will begin on April 7 at the Sandiganbayan, with the prosecution saying they are “ready” to present pieces of evidence and witnesses against the accused. </p><p> The anti-graft court’s 4th Division terminated on Thursday the pre-trial stage of the graft case involving P92.8-million in alleged ghost flood control project in Pandi, Bulacan.</p><p> The prosecution and defense counsels stipulated the facts of the case, with discussions centering mostly on the roles of the co-accused in the district engineering office.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/2/20/sandiganbayan-division-concludes-preliminary-conference-on-revilla-graft-case-1413"><strong>Sandiganbayan 4th division concludes preliminary conference on Revilla graft case <br/></strong></a></div><p> Some defense counsels took issue with the use of the term “public officers” in the case, most especially those belonging to the administrative side of the Bulacan DEO. It was also clarified that Engr. Brice Hernandez was terminated from service and was no  longer in office.</p><p> Jaypee Mendoza’s counsel, meanwhile, said she would clarify with her client if he was likewise dismissed from service. </p><p> Other defense lawyers also wanted to stipulate some items in the case with the qualification that the stipulation is “based on records.” </p><p> This was when Sandiganbayan 4th Division Chairperson Michael Frederick Musñgi reminded the defense counsels that the admission is anchored on the matters of fact, unless there was “anything you wish to examine other than the basis of the court records.” </p><p> Meanwhile, both the prosecution and the defense agreed with the trial dates of April 7 and 8 and April 21 and 22. </p><div> </div><div><strong>PROSECUTION ‘VERY CONFIDENT’ </strong></div><p>During the hearing, the prosecution said they would present 56 witnesses, while Revilla’s camp said they would present 14. </p><p> In a chance interview with reporters, lawyer Ma. Christina T. Marallag-Batacan, acting director of the Ombudsman’s prosecution bureau said the prosecutors are ready for the trial. </p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/1/16/ombudsman-files-graft-charges-vs-revilla-dpwh-execs-over-bulacan-flood-project-1632"><strong>Ombudsman files graft charges vs Revilla, DPWH execs over Bulacan flood project  </strong></a></div><p>“Pagkatapos ng arraignment, nag-start na kaming mag-interview ng mga witnesses so we are ready to the witnesses. Fifty-six yung witnesses namin na nakalista, pero for the trial dates on April, we are ready for the 8 witnesses – for the trial,” Marallag-Batacan said. </p><p> “Siyempre hindi ko pa mabanggit yung mga pangalan pero nag-start na kaming gumawa ng affidavit,” she added. </p><p>During the pre-trial, Musñgi reminded both the defense and the prosecution to be mindful of how long the trial would be conducted, given the number of witnesses. </p><p> Musñgi said the Sandiganbayan notes the importance of the speedy disposition of cases. </p><p> The prosecutor said they are aware of this. </p><p> “Ang sabi namin, kahit 56 ang witnesses, depende doon sa testimony ng isa, baka corroborative lang. We can dispense with the others, yung trial dates natin,” she said. </p><p> “Very confident sa interview namin sa mga witnesses,” she added. </p><p> Asked what the background of the witnesses are, she said their witnesses are also from the DPWH. </p><div> <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/12/10/bong-revilla-files-counter-affidavit-over-flood-control-complaint-1201"><strong>Bong Revilla files counter-affidavit over flood control complaint</strong></a></div><p> “Siyempre familiar sila sa transaction,” she said. </p><div> </div><div><strong>REVILLA CAMP ALSO ‘READY’ </strong></div><p> Revilla’s spokesperson, Francesca Señga, said his client’s legal team continues to maintain that he had “no participation” in the allegations.</p><p> “We are ready. In so far as yung 56 [witnesses] na yun, hihintayin namin and haharapin namin,” Señga told reporters. </p><p> “Bagamat ipinaglalaban namin si Senator Bong, ginagalang din namin ang tamang proseso, ang korte at mga proseso nito. Susunod kami sa tamang proseso. Magta-trial tayo and haharapin natin,” she added. </p><p> Asked about Revilla’s morale, she said, “he remains steadfast at lalaban po siya.”</p><p> Among those present in today’s hearing include Hernandez, Engr. Arjay Domasig, and Christina Pineda. Revilla was not subpoenaed by the 4th Division.</p>

<p>The graft trial of former senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla, Jr. and six of his co-accused from DPWH Bulacan 1st District Engineering Office will begin on April 7 at the Sandiganbayan, with the prosecution saying they are “ready” to present pieces of evidence and witnesses against the accused. </p>

The graft trial of former senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla, Jr. and six of his co-accused from DPWH Bulacan 1st District Engineering Office will begin on April 7 at the Sandiganbayan, with the prosecution saying they are “ready” to present pieces of evidence and witnesses against the accused.

Revilla, Bulacan officials’ graft trial to begin April 7

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Revilla, Bulacan officials’ graft trial to begin April 7

Job Manahan,

ABS-CBN News

Published Mar 05, 2026 05:58 PM PHT

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Sandiganbayan

4th Division

Sandiganbayan 4th Division

graft case flood control

Pandi Bulacan

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