THE FORMER SENATOR who once spent time behind bars for allegedly pocketing a kickback of P224.5 million arising from his Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) to non-governmental organizations linked to Janet Napoles, looks like headed to jail again.
This comes as the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) recommended the filing of criminal and administrative complaints against him – this time for direct or indirect bribery, corruption, and plunder in relation to the so-called flood control scandal.
Aside from Revilla, likewise recommended for the filing of cases include Maynard Ngu — alleged bagman of Senator Chiz Escudero — and eight others, to wit:
- Carleen Villa, staff of former senator and now Makati City Mayor Nancy Binay
- Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) NCR Regional Director Gerard Opulencia
- DPWH South Manila District Engineer Manny Bulusan
- DPWH official Ruel Umali
- DPWH Mimaropa Regional Director Gene Ryan Alurin Altea
- J.Y. dela Rosa
- Mrs. Patron
- Carlo Aguilar
In a press briefing, ICI Chairperson Andres Reyes used the testimony of former DPWH undersecretary Roberto Bernardo as a basis for the commission’s recommendation to the Office of Ombudsman.
The recommendation was submitted to the Office of the Ombudsman on Wednesday.
Previously, Bernardo and dismissed Bulacan district engineer Henry Alcantara during the senate investigation tagged several individuals in the flood control project corruption.
Dela Rosa, whom Bernardo claimed served as conduit to former senator Grace Poe’s staff allegedly delivered kickbacks to Poe and the DPWH.
Carlo Aguilar, who claims to be a relative of former DPWH Secretary Mark Villar, cornered from 2023 to 2025 over P2.8 billion in DPWH contracts through his Motiontrade Development Corporation.
The ICI also referred senators Escudero and Mark Villar, and former senators Poe and Binay, to the Ombudsman for “further investigative review and case buildup.”
The commission added that new evidence that “may possibly lead to more charges” has emerged against former DPWH secretary Manuel Bonoan, Bernardo, former congressman Zaldy Co, Commissioner Mario Lipana, Alcantara, Brice Hernandez, and Jaypee Mendoza. These new pieces of evidence will also be submitted to the Ombudsman, the ICI said.
Revilla meanwhile denied involvement in the corruption scandal. He described the accusations as “meaningless accusations fabricated by a criminal mastermind and his cohorts who are desperately buying their way to freedom.”
