Revilla files counter-affidavit over flood control allegations

Former Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. filed his counter-affidavit at the Department of Justice (DoJ) on Wednesday regarding a graft complaint over an alleged ghost flood control project in Bulacan province.

Revilla’s spokesperson, attorney Francesca Lourdes Señga, confirmed the complaint was filed for violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act. Señga stated that Revilla submitted evidence intended to prove that the allegations against him are “lies and nothing but lies.”

“My client is expecting the DoJ will be fair and will look at the evidence and will no longer allow this complaint to reach the court,” Señga said.

Revilla and former Ako Bicol Partylist Representative Zaldy Co were previously included as respondents in the flood control projects case, according to Prosecutor General Richard “Dong” Fadullon.

The DoJ specified that Revilla was added in the complaint involving SYMS Construction and Trading.

Over the weekend, Revilla denied the allegations, saying he was an “easy target being used to muddle the truth.”

DoJ spokesperson Raphael Niccolo Martinez said Revilla and Co are also among the respondents in complaints recently filed by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) involving alleged ghost projects of Wawao Builders and Topnotch Catalyst Builders.

Those NBI complaints are currently undergoing initial evaluation by a DoJ panel of prosecutors.

The complaint follows earlier testimony before the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee by former Public Works Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo, who alleged that Revilla had received around 25 percent in commissions from flood control projects.

Revilla has previously denied that allegation through his lawyers.