NATIONAL
Advocates Philippines
No Direct Link Yet To Revilla In 'Ghost Project' Bail Hearings
Bong Revilla via PNA
QUEZON CITY — After a week of bail hearings, prosecutors have yet to present testimony directly linking former senator Ramon Bong Revilla Jr. to the alleged ₱92.8-million “ghost” flood control project in Pandi, Bulacan.
Proceedings before the Sandiganbayan Third Division began on April 6, with the Office of the Special Prosecutor calling nine witnesses to oppose Revilla’s bail plea. So far, none of the testimonies have established a clear and direct connection between the former lawmaker and the questioned project.
The case stems from allegations that a government-funded flood control project either did not exist or was irregularly implemented—a situation commonly described as a “ghost project,” where public funds are released for incomplete, mislocated, or nonexistent infrastructure.
Conflicting findings emerge
Witnesses from the National Bureau of Investigation and engineers from the Department of Public Works and Highways Bulacan 1st District Engineering Office testified on the project’s status, but their accounts revealed inconsistencies.
One engineer told the court that no structure was found at the supposed project site, describing it as overgrown and lacking visible construction. However, other testimonies and inspections suggested the possibility of an existing or completed structure, prompting the court to seek further clarification and issue subpoenas for additional records.
Witnesses stop short of implicating Revilla
A state witness from a private contractor testified about delivering money to a Department of Public Works and Highways official but admitted having no personal knowledge of dealings with Revilla.
Other witnesses, including representatives from the Land Bank of the Philippines and the Department of Budget and Management, limited their testimonies to identifying documents and confirmed they had no direct knowledge of the project’s implementation.
Defense cites lack of direct evidence
Revilla’s legal team argued that both witness testimonies and documentary evidence fail to connect him to the project, noting that his name and signature do not appear in the records presented so far.
Hearings continue
The prosecution is expected to continue presenting witnesses as bail hearings proceed. The court will later determine whether the evidence of guilt is strong enough to deny bail.
Revilla, who was acquitted of plunder in 2018 in connection with the pork barrel scam but was ordered to return certain funds under civil liability, remains in detention as the case unfolds.
Proceedings before the Sandiganbayan Third Division began on April 6, with the Office of the Special Prosecutor calling nine witnesses to oppose Revilla’s bail plea. So far, none of the testimonies have established a clear and direct connection between the former lawmaker and the questioned project.
The case stems from allegations that a government-funded flood control project either did not exist or was irregularly implemented—a situation commonly described as a “ghost project,” where public funds are released for incomplete, mislocated, or nonexistent infrastructure.
Conflicting findings emerge
Witnesses from the National Bureau of Investigation and engineers from the Department of Public Works and Highways Bulacan 1st District Engineering Office testified on the project’s status, but their accounts revealed inconsistencies.
One engineer told the court that no structure was found at the supposed project site, describing it as overgrown and lacking visible construction. However, other testimonies and inspections suggested the possibility of an existing or completed structure, prompting the court to seek further clarification and issue subpoenas for additional records.
Witnesses stop short of implicating Revilla
A state witness from a private contractor testified about delivering money to a Department of Public Works and Highways official but admitted having no personal knowledge of dealings with Revilla.
Other witnesses, including representatives from the Land Bank of the Philippines and the Department of Budget and Management, limited their testimonies to identifying documents and confirmed they had no direct knowledge of the project’s implementation.
Defense cites lack of direct evidence
Revilla’s legal team argued that both witness testimonies and documentary evidence fail to connect him to the project, noting that his name and signature do not appear in the records presented so far.
Hearings continue
The prosecution is expected to continue presenting witnesses as bail hearings proceed. The court will later determine whether the evidence of guilt is strong enough to deny bail.
Revilla, who was acquitted of plunder in 2018 in connection with the pork barrel scam but was ordered to return certain funds under civil liability, remains in detention as the case unfolds.
Apr 17, 2026
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