The Department of Justice (DoJ) began the preliminary investigation into plunder complaints filed against Senator Jinggoy Estrada and former Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. on Monday, over alleged irregularities in flood control projects.

Prosecutor General Richard Anthony Fadullon said Estrada and Revilla are not required to personally attend the initial hearing of the preliminary investigation into plunder complaints filed against them.

He then explained that the scheduled preliminary investigation is solely for the reception of case records, making the respondents’ personal appearance unnecessary at this stage.

“No, because the scheduled PI this afternoon is only for the reception of the records… There’s no need for them to file a counter-affidavit just yet,” Fadullon explained in a chance interview when asked. 

He then noted that respondents may be represented by their lawyers.

Fadullon added that Estrada and Revilla would only be required to appear once the DoJ directs the submission of counter-affidavits as the investigation progresses.

“When the time comes that the counter-affidavits have to be submitted, that’s when they would be obliged to appear here,” Fadullon said.

Earlier, the DoJ ordered Estrada, Revilla, and former Public Works and Highways Secretary Manuel Bonoan to attend the preliminary investigation of plunder complaints stemming from alleged irregularities in flood control projects.

Justice Undersecretary and DoJ spokesperson Raul Vasquez Polo Martinez said subpoenas have been issued separately to Estrada, Revilla, Bonoan, and their co-accused for hearings set on 2 February and 12 February.

The cases are part of three plunder complaints filed by the National Bureau of Investigation and are currently pending before the DoJ.

Estrada and Bonoan are co-respondents in one of the cases, along with the late Department of Public Works and Highways Undersecretary Maria Catalina Cabral, former DPWH Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo, suspended DPWH National Capital Region District Engineer Gerard Opulencia, dismissed Bulacan First District Engineering Office chief Henry Alcantara, several John and Jane Does and contractor Sally Santos.