A ₱92.8-million flood control project in Pandi, Bulacan has come under scrutiny after being reportedly declared nearly complete just three weeks after construction began—an issue now central to the graft and malversation case against former Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr.
During Monday’s bail hearing before the Sandiganbayan’s Third Division, National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) lawyer-agent Ivan Bernard Samson testified that the project’s “notice to proceed” was issued on April 8, 2025. By April 29, it was already reported as 95.17% complete.
Samson pointed out that infrastructure projects of this scale typically require up to 270 days to finish, casting doubt on the reported timeline.
To support his testimony, Samson presented a cellphone video taken during his initial site inspection on September 16. Instead of a near-complete structure, the footage showed a muddy riverside with no significant development.
Associate Justice Ronald Moreno questioned the apparent discrepancy, asking Samson if he agreed that the site did not reflect the reported level of completion.
Samson responded,
“I agree, your honor. That is not 95% [complete].”
Further inspections conducted by Samson between September and November revealed gradual progress only months after the project had been declared nearly finished. By November, Moreno noted that capping beams had finally been constructed—indicating that substantial work occurred well beyond the reported completion date.
Revilla has since posted ₱90,000 bail for the graft charge but remains detained following his arrest in January, as the malversation case filed against him is non-bailable.
The case continues to unfold as authorities examine the discrepancies surrounding the project’s timeline and reported completion status.