Former Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. refused to enter a plea to a malversation charge over an alleged ₱92.8-million “ghost” flood control project in Bulacan, prompting the Sandiganbayan’s Third Division to enter a not guilty plea on his behalf during Monday’s arraignment.
The move formally pushed the case into the pre-trial stage.
The antigraft court set the pre-trial on March 6, while a preliminary conference will be held from February 23 to 27, where both the prosecution and defense are expected to mark their evidence.
Revilla’s co-accused, former Public Works Bulacan First District Finance Section chief Juanito Mendoza, pleaded not guilty.
Also charged in the case are former Public Works Bulacan First District engineers Brice Hernandez, Jaypee Mendoza, Arjay Domasig, Emelita Capistrano Juat, and cashier Christina Mae del Rosario Pineda.
On the same day, the Sandiganbayan said it also allowed Revilla and Mendoza to appeal the Office of the Ombudsman’s decision to file the case against them.
Last week, the Sandiganbayan Fourth Division likewise entered a not guilty plea for Revilla in a separate graft case.