Revilla arraignment in malversation case over alleged ghost Bulacan project deferred anew

The Sandiganbayan Third Division on Monday postponed the arraignment of ex-senator Ramon Bong Revilla Jr. and former Department of Public Works and Highways Bulacan First District Engineering Office finance section chief Juanito Mendoza.

The anti-graft court postponed the arraignment due to their pending motions questioning the malversation charge against them over the alleged P92.8-million ghost flood control project in Pandi, Bulacan. 

The arraignment is the process where the respondents in the case enter their plea on the charge against them. 

As a result, the arraignment of Revilla and Mendoza was moved to February 16 at 8:30 am. 

Revilla and Mendoza have appealed the Sandiganbayan’s February 5 resolution denying their bids to junk the criminal charge against them, among others.

The arraignment of the rest of the accused, however, proceeded. All the following co-accused of Revilla and Mendoza pleaded not guilty: 

• former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Bulacan Assistant District Engineer Brice Hernandez
• former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Bulacan Engr. Jaypee Mendoza
• former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Bulacan Engr. Arjay Domasig
• former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Bulacan Engr. Emelita Juat, and 
• DPWH Bulacan First District Engineering Office cashier Christina Pineda

Revilla, however, refused to enter a plea for the graft case he is facing in connection with the same P92.8 million flood control project before the Sandiganbayan Fourth Division.

As a result, the anti-graft court entered a not guilty plea for Revilla in the graft charge.

Señga, the spokesperson for Revilla, said the former Senator refused to enter a plea in the graft charge since their camp is yet to get a hold of the Sandiganbayan Fourth Division Resolution denying Revilla’s bid to quash the graft charges against him.

“We are yet to receive the court resolution on our motion [to quash the graft charge]. He did not enter a plea because such is allowed under the Rules of Court,” she said.

“We filed a motion to quash the [graft] information. We are questioning its validity. The court has ruled on that motion [to quash], but it does not bar us from availing remedies to assail that order denying the motion,” she added.

Revilla earlier posted a P90,000 bail before the Sandiganbayan Fourth Division in connection with the graft charge filed against him. 

He, however, is currently detained in Quezon City Jail Male Dormitory in Brgy. Payatas, Quezon City, due to the pending malversation case against him over the alleged anomalous P92.8 million Bulacan flood control project.

Malversation is a non-bailable charge, meaning the accused in the case, including Revilla, would need to file a motion for bail and the court to rule in favor of that same motion to secure temporary liberty. 

'I love you all'

Asked for comment upon his arrival at the Sandiganbayan, Revilla said, "I love you all."

“I love you all”

Ito ang sinabi ni dating Sen. Bong Revilla nang hingan ng pahayag bago ang kaniyang pagdating sa Sandiganbayan 3rd Division para sa arraignment ngayong araw, Feb. 9, 2026 para sa reklamong malversation through falsification of public documents.

VIDEO COURTESY:… pic.twitter.com/ABMoXsB9lS

— GMA Integrated News (@gmanews) February 9, 2026

Supporters of Revilla, meanwhile, protested outside the Sandiganbayan, saying the truth will come out and show that the former senator is not guilty.

‘LALABAS ANG KATOTOHANAN SI SENATOR BONG AY WALANG KASALANAN’

Mga tagasuporta ni dating Senador Bong Revilla, nagprotesta sa harap ng Sandiganbayan kasabay ng nakatakdang arraignment ni Revilla sa reklamong malversation through falsification of public documents ngayong araw,… pic.twitter.com/twehBiKCqg

— GMA Integrated News (@gmanews) February 9, 2026

Ombudsman prosecutors charged Revilla, Mendoza and five others of conspiring to facilitate the release of approximately P76 million for the supposed construction of a flood control project in Purok 5, Barangay Bunsuran, Pandi, Bulacan which was never implemented based on official inspection and witness accounts.

The Sandiganbayan earlier denied Revilla’s plea to be detained at the Philippine National Police (PNP) Custodial Center pending the malversation charges against him due to lack of basis.

The Sandiganbayan Third Division then ordered the temporary detention of Revilla at the Quezon City Jail Male Dormitory in Barangay Payatas.

“The court visited the jail facilities where the accused are being detained on January 23, 2026. As to the Male Dormitory, the court is convinced that the jail’s security measures are sufficient for the safekeeping of Revilla and the other accused,” the Sandiganbayan said. 

“From the foregoing, there is no basis for the Revilla’s claims of harm, harassment, and threat to his person that would warrant a transfer of his custody to any PNP custodial facility. After due consideration, the court denies the motions to transfer the commitments of Revilla and [former DPWH Bulacan First District Engineering Office Engr Emelita] Juat to a PNP custodial facility,” it added. —KG, GMA Integrated News