The Sandiganbayan has entered a not guilty plea on the graft charge against former Senator Bong Revilla after he refused to enter one during his arraignment. This preserves his defense strategy amid a pending motion to quash the charges, according to his lawyer. His co-accused also entered not guilty pleas.
In Manila, Philippines, the anti-graft court Sandiganbayan entered a not guilty plea for former Senator Bong Revilla in his graft and malversation case. Revilla refused to plead to avoid jeopardizing their pending motion to quash.
Francesca Señga, Revilla's lawyer, told reporters on Monday, February 9, that the Ombudsman failed to properly allege conspiracy, and the facts do not support malversation since Revilla was not an "accountable officer" for the funds involved. She noted a resolution exists on the motion, but Revilla's camp has not received a copy.
Meanwhile, co-accused Arjay Domasig, former engineer at the Public Works and Highways Bulacan First District Engineering Office, and Juanito Mendoza, finance section chief, entered not guilty pleas. The court scheduled a preliminary conference for February 13 to list witnesses and evidence, and pre-trial for February 19 to mark exhibits.
The arraignment for Revilla and Mendoza was deferred due to pending appeals. The case stems from an alleged anomalous P92.8 million flood control project in Pandi, Bulacan, deemed non-existent by Ombudsman investigators.