Sandiganbayan enters not guilty plea for Bong Revilla graft case
MANILA, Philippines — The Sandiganbayan entered a not guilty plea on the graft charge against former senator Bong Revilla after the former lawmaker refused to enter a plea during his arraignment.
Francesca Señga, Revilla’s lawyer, said in an interview with reporters on Monday, February 9, that no plea was entered to avoid undermining their pending motion to quash.
According to Señga, the Ombudsman allegedly failed to properly allege conspiracy, and the facts do not support a charge of malversation, specifically because Revilla lacked the status of an "accountable officer" regarding the subject finances.
She added that there has been a resolution to the motion, but Revilla’s camp has yet to receive a copy.
Meanwhile, his co-accused, former Public Works and Highways Bulacan First District Engineering Office engineer Arjay Domasig and finance section chief Juanito Mendoza, entered their not guilty pleas before the anti-graft court.
The Sandiganbayan has set the preliminary conference for February 13, where the parties are expected to appear to list down their witnesses and evidence to be presented during the trial.
Pre-trial has been set for February 19, during which the parties are expected to mark the evidence to be used in court.
The anti-graft court also moved the arraignment of Revilla and co-accused Juanito Mendoza due to pending appeals.
RELATED: Sandiganbayan defers Bong Revilla arraignment
The graft and malversation case is over the alleged anomalous P92.8 million flood control project in Pandi, Bulacan, which investigators from the Office of the Ombudsman said was non-existent.
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