Arraignment of Bong Revilla deferred over pending motions

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

The anti-graft court deferred the arraignment after Revilla and Mendoza questioned the malversation charge against them in connection with the alleged P92.8-million ghost flood control project in Pandi, Bulacan.

Under the law, arraignment is the stage in criminal proceedings where respondents enter their plea to the charges filed against them.

Because of the pending motion filed by Revilla’s camp, the arraignment of both accused was reset to 16 February at 8:30 a.m.

Revilla and Mendoza earlier appealed the Sandiganbayan’s 5 February resolution denying their motions to dismiss the criminal case against them.

Despite the postponement, the arraignment of the other accused proceeded, with all entering pleas of not guilty. These include former DPWH Bulacan assistant district engineer Brice Hernandez; former DPWH Bulacan engineer Jaypee Mendoza; former DPWH Bulacan engineer Arjay Domasig; former DPWH Bulacan engineer Emelita Juat; and DPWH Bulacan First District Engineering Office cashier Christina Pineda.

Revilla, Mendoza, and their co-accused were charged by Ombudsman prosecutors with conspiring to facilitate the release of about P76 million for the supposed construction of a flood control project in Purok 5, Barangay Bunsuran, Pandi, Bulacan, which was allegedly never implemented based on official inspections and witness accounts.

Earlier, the Sandiganbayan denied Revilla’s request to be detained at the Philippine National Police Custodial Center pending the malversation case for lack of legal basis.

The Third Division instead ordered Revilla’s temporary detention 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.