A government official informed a court that a flood control project worth about P93 million that was connected to former Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. was certified practically finished in just 21 days, even though not much work had been done.
Ivan Bernard Samson, an NBI agent, said this during a court hearing on Monday at the Sandiganbayan, which is the Philippines’ anti-graft court. He claimed that the project was given the go-ahead on April 8, 2025. Just 21 days later, documents proved that it was already “95 percent” done. In truth, it should have taken up to 270 days to finish the project.
Last September, Samson went to the spot and filmed a video on his phone. The video only showed a muddy region along a river; there was no development or progress. Samson clearly stated, “I agree, your honor,” when a court asked if the project was really 95 percent done. That isn’t 95 percent done.
After that, he went to the spot a few more times. In November, he finally observed some building materials being put in place.
Revilla has been in jail since January because he can’t get bail for the malversation charge, which is the misuse of public funds. He is also being investigated for a different but related case of graft, for which he has previously paid P90,000 in bond.
According to prosecutors, Revilla and six other people, including former public works officials, conspired together to collect P76 million for the flood control project in Pandi, Bulacan. In March 2025, when Revilla was still a senator, the project was handed to a contractor. The investigators say that the project was never really done.
The NBI also utilized the testimony of Roberto Bernardo, a former public works official, as proof. Bernardo said that in 2024 he took P125 million in cash to Revilla’s house. It is said that his aide gave Revilla another P250 million before the 2025 elections.
Revilla said all the accusations were false and called them “lies and rumors.”” Bernardo is now working with the government as a witness for the state.
