Detained former senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. hit back at those linking him to the alleged flood control fund scam as he appeared at the Department of Justice (DOJ) on Thursday for the ongoing preliminary investigation into his plunder complaint.
Before returning to the New Quezon City Jail aboard a Bureau of Jail Management and Penology vehicle, Revilla spoke briefly to reporters and expressed disbelief over the accusations being raised against him.
“Hindi ko alam kung paano nakakatulog ang mga nag-aakusa sa akin,” he said.
His camp is now raising questions about the strength of the complaint after his supposed co-respondents—former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) undersecretary Roberto Bernardo and engineers Henry Alcantara and Gerard Opulencia—were reportedly discharged from the case after being named as state witnesses.
Revilla spokesperson Francesca Señga said this development leaves only Revilla and unnamed John and Jane Does as respondents in the plunder complaint.
“How can it be a conspiracy kung nag-iisa lang hindi ba, iyon ang isang katanungan diyan,” Señga said.
She said Revilla’s legal team is currently reviewing its next legal steps following the changes in the case lineup.
Señga also questioned inconsistencies in Bernardo’s statements, particularly on the dates, amounts, and number of alleged money deliveries.
“Makikita niyo na magkakaiba iyong mga petsa kung kailan di umano binigyan ng pera na dinala iyong pera sa bahay ni senator Bong pangalawa nag-iiba iyong amount, pangatlo nag-iiba iba iyong number ng deliveries, una isang beses, sumunod dalawang beses, tatlo, ano ba talaga,” Senga said.
DOJ spokesperson Atty. Polo Martinez, however, clarified that the state witnesses have not yet submitted the required Certificate of Materiality from the Witness Protection Program to the panel of prosecutors.
“Only upon fulfillment of these requirements will the panel discharge them from the filing of the case in court, if ever,” Martinez said.
Martinez added that even if their status changes, their role and alleged involvement will still be addressed in the prosecutors’ resolution.
“That includes the claim of conspiracy. Hindi ibig sabihin hindi ka na at all babanggitin sa resolution,” Martinez said.
Prosecutor General Richard Anthony Fadullon also responded to the statements made by Revilla’s camp, saying media is not the proper venue for legal arguments.
“If respondents counsel believes what she says then she should just raise it in their counter affidavit and not address it to media,” Fadullon said.
Outside the DOJ, Revilla supporters staged a protest and claimed that former DPWH officials should instead face the plunder charges.
“Malinis ang konsensya ni senator Revilla sa lahat ng binibintang sa kanya,” said supporter Mark Duller.
The next hearing is tentatively scheduled on February 20.
