Ombudsman Speaks on Former Sen. Bong Revilla amid Detention over Alleged Flood Control Corruption
BONG REVILLA – The Ombudsman confirmed that it will request writs to place the former Senator’s properties under court custody.
The Sandiganbayan previously entered a “not guilty” plea for Revilla over the flood control charges against him after he refused to enter a plea. The former Senator is accused of alleged flood control corruption through a supposed ghost flood control project in Pandi, Bulacan.
Revilla claims that he is allegedly innocent from the accusations against him. According to the former Senator, the situation is very hard for him but he is confident that God will not forsake him as he is standing by the truth.
The Sandiganbayan released an arrest warrant against former Sen. Bong Revilla. Following the issuance of the warrant, the former Senator voluntarily surrendered to the Philippine authorities.
Aside from Revilla, the Sandiganbayan also issued arrest warrants against several officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) over the supposed ghost flood control projects in Pandi, Bulacan. The following are the other subjects of the warrants of arrest:
- former DPWH Bulacan First District Engineering Office (DEO) assistant district engineer Brice Hernandez
- former DPWH Bulacan First DEO Engr. Jaypee Mendoza
- former DPWH Bulacan First DEO Engr. Arjay Domasig
- former DPWH Bulacan First DEO Engr. Emelita Juat
- former DPWH Bulacan First DEO finance section chief Juanito Mendoza, at
- DPWH Bulacan First District Engineering Office cashier Christina Pineda
A prayer rally was previously held in Cavite for former Sen. Bong Revilla. At the event, his wife, Congresswoman Lani Mercado-Revilla, was emotional as she delivered a speech over the situation of her husband.
“Masakit at higit sa lahat nakakagalit na masilayan ang aming mahal na ama, ang aking mahal na asawa sa kanyang pinagdaraanan ngayon sapagka’t ang kanyang pagdurusa ay hindi bunga ng pagsuko sa isang kasalanan kundi isang pagsuko sa sistemang pumayag sa kawalan ng hustisya, sa kawalan ng tunay na katarungan kung saan ang inosente ay pinipiit at binubusalan,” she said.
Recently, the Office of the Ombudsman confirmed that it will request for a writ to place the properties of of former Sen. Bong Revilla under a court custody. Based on a report on GMA News, Ombudsman Boying Revilla stressed that it is allegedly needed to freeze the assets of the former Senator while the legal proceedings are ongoing.
“Kailangan talaga ma-freeze itong mga properties para meron tayong hawak. Kasi ang pera baka naka-cash ‘yan, mahirap habulin nang habulin. Pero ‘yung mga property hindi naman gumagalaw ‘yan,” the Ombudsman said.
Based on the report, aside from Revilla, the Ombudsman will also seek for writs to place the properties of contractor Sarah Discaya under the court custody. According to Remulla, they plan to include her bank accounts in the move to freeze her assets.
“Kay Sarah Discaya, attachment ng real at saka personal properties, pati bank accounts. Conspiracy ‘yan, kasama sila sa nag-defraud sa taong bayan,” he added.
Previously, Cavite 2nd District Rep. Lani Mercado insisted that her husband, former Sen. Bong Revilla, is allegedly innocent from the flood control allegations hurled against him.