By Tracy Cabrera
BATASAN, Quezon City — The Sandiganbayan has formally begun trial proceedings in the malversation case involving former senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. and several co-accused on Tuesday, May 5.
Although witnesses had already appeared in April, their earlier testimonies were limited to addressing Revilla’s petition for bail. His legal team argued in that motion that the prosecution’s evidence was insufficient to justify his continued detention.
The charges stem from an alleged “ghost” flood control and mitigation project in Pandi, Bulacan, reportedly funded with ₱92.8 million in government resources.
During the proceedings before the court’s Third Division, prosecutors presented witnesses Myra Torio and Jose Jayson Cruz.
Several of the accused have also sought temporary release, prompting the court to hold a series of bail hearings beginning April 6, 2026. A ruling on these petitions is anticipated soon.
Revilla’s counsel, Atty. Reody Anthony Balisi, maintained that there is no proof directly linking his client to the questioned project, while expressing confidence in their defense but leaving the final assessment to the court.
Other respondents who filed bail petitions include Juanito Mendoza, Brice Hernandez, Arjay Domasig, Emelita Juat, and Christina Mae Pineda.
Meanwhile, the related graft case also resumed, with prosecutors calling SYMS Construction liaison officer Monica Louis Ocampo-Santos to the stand.
Earlier developments saw the Sandiganbayan Fourth Division enter a not guilty plea on behalf of Revilla after he declined to plead during arraignment. Co-accused Domasig and Juanito Mendoza also pleaded not guilty, while Juat, Hernandez, Jaypee Mendoza, and Pineda had earlier entered similar pleas in late January.
ia/xf
