Former Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. and several co-accused had their arraignment deferred on Friday by two divisions of the Sandiganbayan in connection with the alleged ₱92.8-million “ghost” flood control project in Pandi, Bulacan.
The hearings for both the malversation and graft charges were rescheduled to February 9.
Sandiganbayan 3rd Division chair Associate Justice Karl Miranda explained that the postponement was necessary due to pending motions questioning the merits of the malversation case.
Revilla’s co-accused include dismissed Public Works officials Brice Hernandez, Jaypee Mendoza, Arjay Domasig, Emelita Juat, Juanito Mendoza, and Christina Pineda.
Meanwhile, the Sandiganbayan 4th Division, chaired by Associate Justice Michael Musngi, granted a motion by Revilla and five others to reset the arraignment for the graft case.
The respondents had filed motions to quash the criminal information, contending that “the facts of the case do not constitute an offense.”
During the brief proceedings, only Juat entered a not guilty plea.
Revilla appeared at the anti-graft court Friday morning wearing a yellow prison shirt, accompanied by his wife and children.
The former senator was previously detained for four years after being indicted, and later acquitted, in the ₱10-billion pork barrel scam.