P92.8-million flood control project in Bong Revilla case non-existent
An ocular inspection of a supposed flood control project in Pandi, Bulacan conducted by prosecutors from the Sandiganbayan Third Division revealed nothing.
The P92.8-million "ghost" project in Barangay Bunsuran is the subject of non-bailable malversation and graft charges against former senator Bong Revilla Jr.
Revilla has been held at the New Quezon City Jail in Payatas since his surrender in January.
"There's no project. It's a ghost project," said one of the prosecutors following the inspection. The project was previously reported to be 95% complete.
Instead, inspectors found rusting sheet piles under foliage at the site. A project that would have been almost complete would have already had major structures in place, including a containment wall or revetment. But these were non-existent.
Leading the inspection was Associate Justice Karl Miranda, Sandiganbayan Third Division chairman. With him were members of the Department of Public Works and Highways Bulacan 1st District Engineering Office, prosecutors from the Ombudsman, and the defendants' lawyers.
With the result of the inspection, the prosecution said the accusation that there was a "ghost" flood control project in the area is "now settled."
Accused along with Revilla are Assistant District Engr. Brice Hernandez, Engr. Jaypee Mendoza, Arjay Domasig, Engr. Emelita Juat, Juanito Mendoza, and Christina Pineda, all sacked executives of the Bulacan DPWH 1st District Engineering Office.
Charges against all eight were filed in January.
"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 Puroc V, Barangay Bonsuran, Pandi, Bulacan, a project which, based on official inspection and witness accounts, was never implemented," said Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano then at a press conference.
He added that the respondents reported the project completed despite the absence of any actual construction.
Prosecutors conducted the ocular inspection as part of the defendants' bail petition hearing.
Two prosecution witnesses, though with conflicting information, pointed the inspectors to the general location of the project. One witness provided by the National Bureau of Investigation indicated a site that was adjacent to the actual project location. The adjacent site had visible structures, though nothing was completed.
The flood control issue started in July 2025 as the rains triggered massive flooding in the metro. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordered, in his third State of the Nation Address, investigations into corruption involving flood control projects. Hearings at the House of Representatives and the Senate later revealed billions of pesos lost to corruption. (with reports by Daphne Galvez, The Philippine STAR)
