FORMER senator Ramon Revilla Jr. is seeking the immediate dismissal of the malversation through falsification of public documents filed against him by the Office of the Ombudsman before the Sandiganbayan.
Revilla, on Wednesday, asked the Sandiganbayan Third Division to allow him to file a demurrer to evidence on the ground that the prosecution’s evidence against him is weak.
A demurrer to evidence is a motion filed by an accused in a case to dismiss the charges on allegation that the prosecution’s evidence is not sufficient to render a guilty verdict.
Revilla, who is currently out on bail, is facing malversation of public funds through falsification of public documents filed against him by the Ombudsman over his alleged involvement in the P92.8-million ghost flood control project in Pandi, Bulacan.
In his 24-page motion for leave to file demurrer to evidence, Revilla pointed out that the prosecution’s own documentary evidence show that he did not participate in the preparation, processing, verification, approval or execution of the documents pertaining to the implementation of , and disbursement funds for, the Pandi project.
In particular, Revilla said the prosecution failed to present evidence that would prove his involvement in the facilitation and inclusion of the project in the 2026 General Appropriations Act (GAA) and receiving kickbacks or advance commission.
‘Clearly, accused Revilla cannot be held liable in any purported conspiracy to commit the crime charged. In the absence of proof that he facilitated or caused the inclusion of the Subject Project in the 025 GAA, and received kickbacks therefrom,’ Revilla stressed.
‘Hence, if the prosecution’s evidence is insufficient to meet even the standard of strong evidence required to grant bail, it necessarily falls even further short of the higher standard standard of proof beyond reasonable doubt, required to convict.’
The malversation case against Revilla pertains to the release of approximately P76 million for the supposed construction of a flood control project in Purok 5, barangay Bunsuran, Pandi, Bulacan, which turned out to be nonexistent.
Public Works Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo, one of the state witnesses in the flood control scandal, claimed that he delivered P125 million to Revilla’s residence in 2024, and another P250 million delivered by his staff before the 2025 elections in exchange for facilitating or endorsing flood control projects.
Revilla has since denied the allegations, claiming that he was just being used ‘to muddle the truth’ in connection with the flood control mess.
‘Accused Revilla humbly submits that an examination of his Demurrer to Evidence shows that a verdict of acquittal is warranted in this case, without need for him to present his evidence, because of insufficiency of the prosecution’s evidence to prove his guilt beyond reasonable doubt,’ the motion read.