Bong Revilla's camp laments no ICI invite as raps urged to Ombudsman

Former senator Bong Revilla's camp on Wednesday said he was denied the right to defend himself before the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) over his alleged involvement in anomalous flood control projects.

Revilla's spokesperson Atty. Maria Guinto said the former senator had made himself fully available to the ICI and openly welcomed their inquiry.

"Yet he was never invited to speak, never given the opportunity to defend himself, and never allowed to present the truth," Guinto said in a statement.

"He is deeply disappointed to have been denied such a fundamental right, though he still holds trust and faith in the system," she added.

This developed after the ICI recommended the filing of charges of direct or indirect bribery, corruption of public officials, plunder, and administrative sanctions against Revilla and others with the Office of the Ombudsman.

ICI Chairperson Justice Andres Reyes Jr. said the referral is based on the affidavits and testimonies given by former DPWH undersecretary Roberto Bernardo. 

Bernardo previously accused Revilla of receiving 25% worth of commissions of flood control projects, a claim that the former senator has denied.

According to Guinto, Revilla remains confident that truth will prevail.

She stressed that the accusations against him were made by individuals who had admitted to being a part of a syndicate.

"[T]he allegations against him are based on the meaningless accusations fabricated by a criminal mastermind and his cohorts who are desperately buying their way to freedom," she said.

"The assertions of those whose conduct reflects a deliberate pattern of moral bankruptcy are suspect at best, and should not, in any manner, be construed as drawing our client into the web they themselves engineered," she added.

Guinto said Revilla will address the allegations against him once the Ombudsman accords him of his right to a preliminary investigation.

Meanwhile, ICI spokesperson Brian Hosaka said the ICI does not prevent anyone from voluntarily testifying over anomalous flood control projects.

“Wala kaming pine-prevent, wala kaming pinagbabawal na pumunta dito at mag-explain ng kanilang side, whether voluntarily or upon invitation by the commission,” he said on Balitanghali.

(We are not preventing or prohibiting anyone from coming here and explaining their side, whether voluntarily or upon invitation by the commission.)

Hosaka recalled that some lawmakers voluntarily testified before the ICI.

“Tinanggap naman namin sila at pinakinggan namin ang testimony nila. But gaya lang din ng aking na-explain this morning is that hindi naman nag tatapos ang imbestigasyon sa ICI,” he said.

(We accepted them and listened to their testimony. But just like I explained this morning, the investigation does not end with the ICI.)

He said the Office of the Ombudsman will continue the preliminary investigation and then request or allow anybody to appear before them. — VDV/ VAL, GMA Integrated News