Ombudsman files malversation, graft charges vs. Bong Revilla, 6 others

The Ombudsman on Friday filed malversation through the falsification of documents and graft charges against former Sen. Ramon "Bong" Revilla, Jr., former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Bulacan Assistant District Engineer Brice Hernandez, and five others over the alleged P92.8-million ghost flood control project in Pandi, Bulacan. 

"The Ombudsman will pursue these cases firmly, independently, and without fear or favor," Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano said in a press conference after filing the charges before the anti-graft court.

“The information alleges that the respondents conspired to facilitate the release of approximately P76 million for the supposed construction of a flood control project in Purok 5, Barangay Bunsuran, Pandi, Bulacan…a project which, based on official inspection and witness accounts, was never implemented,” he added.

Other listed respondents in the case include:

• Engr. Jaypee Mendoza
• Engr. Arjay Domasig
• Engr. Emelita Juat
• DPWH Bulacan First District Engineering Office, finance section chief Juanito Mendoza, and
• DPWH Bulacan First District Engineering Office cashier Christina Pineda

“Despite the absence of any actual construction, the respondents declared the project completed. Thereafter, 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 said.

Clavano said the P92.8 million project was awarded to the contractor on March 28, 2025.

The Assistant Ombudsman also noted that, as a result of the filing of charges against Revilla and six others, Ombudsman prosecutors filed an urgent motion for the special raffle of the cases they had filed, meaning the process by which the filed cases are raffled to determine which of the seven Sandiganbayan Divisions will handle the cases.

In the same urgent motion, Clavano said Ombudsman prosecutors also asked the anti-graft court to immediately issue a warrant for arrest and hold departure order against all seven accused.

“The Office of the Ombudsman is steadfast in its commitment to enforce accountability where public funds are concerned. This [filing of charges] should send a clear message: those who misuse public funds will be held accountable under the law,” Clavano said.

GMA News Online has sought Revilla’s comment and will publish it as soon as it becomes available.

The criminal charges filed against Revilla are the second batch of flood control-related criminal cases filed by the Ombudsman prosecutors before the Sandiganbayan.

Cases against public officials under Salary Grade 27 and higher are filed before the Sandiganbayan, the anti-graft court.

Revilla, as a senator at the time, is under Salary Grade 31.

In December 2025, malversation and graft charges were filed by Ombudsman prosecutors vs. former Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Zaldy Co and 16 others with the Sandiganbayan over the P289 million substandard road dike project in Oriental Mindoro. 

GMA News Online has reached out to Revilla for his reaction and will post it as soon as it is available.—LDF, GMA Integrated News