Former Sen. Ramon ‘Bong’ Revilla Jr. has been included in the recommendation of the Independent Commission on Infrastructure (ICI) to the Office of the Ombudsman for criminal prosecution, including plunder, in relation to the flood control anomalies.
Revilla’s name was included in the enumeration, which lists nine other names that are recommended for charges, according to ICI chairperson Andres Reyes Jr.
‘Possible cases are direct or indirect bribery, and corruption of public officials, plunder and administrative sanctions, among others,’ Reyes said in a regular press briefing.
In a swiftly-issued statement, Revilla’s camp said the senator is ‘deeply disappointed.’
According to Revilla’s spokesperson, Maria Carissa Guinto, the former senator has not received any subpoena or a copy of any complaint, stressing that ‘he was never given an opportunity to defend himself.’
‘From the beginning, our client made himself fully available to the ICI and openly welcomed their inquiry,’ Guinto said in a statement.
‘Yet he was never invited to speak, never given the opportunity to defend himself, and never allowed to present the truth.’
‘He is deeply disappointed to have been denied such a fundamental right, though he still holds trust and faith in the system,’ she continued.
Reyes said the ICI’s referral is based on the affidavits and testimonies given by Roberto Bernardo, former undersecretary of the Department of Public Works and Highways.
Bernardo previously accused Revilla of seeking a 25 percent commission on flood control projects totaling P125 million, a claim Revilla has denied.
Guinto, however, said such ‘meaningless’ accusations are ‘fabricated by a criminal mastermind and his cohorts.’
According to Guinto, Revilla will answer the accusations once the Ombudsman gives him the right to a preliminary investigation.
Alleged ‘bagman’, 8 others in ICI referral
Aside from Revilla, the ICI will also refer to the Ombudsman the criminal prosecution of tech-billionaire Maynard Ngu.
Ngu, a businessman, was alleged by Bernardo to be a ‘bagman’ of Sen. Francis ‘Chiz’ Escudero, which the senator vehemently denied.
Eight other individuals tagged by Bernardo in flood control anomalies, including DPWH district engineers, were also included in ICI’s referral.
DPWH officials Gerard Opulencia, district engineer of North Manila District Engineering Office; Manny Bulusan, district engineer of South Manila District Engineering Office; Ruel Umali, district engineer of Metro Manila 3rd District Engineering Office; and Gene Ryan Altea, director of the agency’s Bureau of Maintenance, are included in the referral.
Individuals identified as certain Carleen Villa, J.Y. Dela Rosa, Carlo Aguilar and a ‘Mrs. Patron’ are likewise in the body’s recommendation.
4 senators referred for further review
Reyes also said the ICI also recommends that four former and incumbent senators be referred to the Ombudsman for further investigative review and case build-up ‘because of the gravity of the allegations.’
They are senators Escudero Mark Villar and former senators Nancy Binay and Grace Poe-Llamanzares.
Poe, in a statement, said will submit to further investigations by the Ombudsman.
New proof vs Co, Bonoan, 6 others
Meanwhile, Reyes also said the ICI is also submitting more pieces of evidence before the Ombudsman against eight individuals, including resigned Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Elizaldy ‘Zaldy’ Co and former DPWH chief Manuel Bonoan.
Aside from Co and Bonoan, ICI collated new proof against Bernardo, former DPWH Undersecretary Catalina Cabral, Commission on Audit commissioner Mario Lipana, dismissed Bulacan 1st District Engineer Henry Alcantara, as well as dismissed Bulacan first district assistant engineers Jaypee Mendoza and Brice Hernandez.