Former Senator Ramon ‘Bong’ Revilla Jr. is surrounded by personnel from the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) as he arrived at the Department of Justice to attend preliminary investigation on the complaints against him on February 12, 2026. (Photo by Norman Cruz)
The Sandiganbayan Third Division has denied former senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr.’s motion asking the court’s permission to file a demurrer to evidence in his malversation case over the alleged ghost flood control project in Pandi, Bulacan.
A demurrer to evidence seeks to dismiss a case on the ground that the prosecution’s evidence is insufficient to prove guilt.
The court noted the attachments Revilla submitted in support of his motion.
The defense is scheduled to begin its presentation of evidence when the trial opens on Nov. 24.
Meanwhile, the camp of former Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez of Leyte on Wednesday stressed that his 90-day preventive suspension does not constitute a finding of guilt.
“Suspension is not a verdict of guilt. The court itself stated that the allegations still need to be proven. An accusation is not enough—evidence is required,” Lawyer Ade Fajardo said.
He pointed out that the Sandiganbayan itself acknowledged that his alleged participation in plunder and receipt of supposed kickbacks remain matters to be established during trial.
Fajardo, counsel for Romualdez, said the November 10 resolution merely determined that the criminal Information was legally sufficient and that preventive suspension was mandatory under the law.
“The court has not found Martin guilty of plunder. It has not established that he received a single peso in illegal commissions or kickbacks,” Fajardo said in a statement.
In its resolution, the Sandiganbayan Third Division expressly stated that the particular acts attributable to Romualdez, his degree of participation, and the specific transactions through which he allegedly received kickbacks or commissions “are matters to be threshed out and established during trial.”
Fajardo emphasized that the court’s ruling on the validity of the Information should not be mistaken for proof of the accusations.
“An allegation is not evidence. A valid Information is not a conviction. The prosecution must still prove its case beyond reasonable doubt,” he said.
The defense also pointed out that Romualdez is already detained and unable to exercise the ordinary powers of his congressional office.
While the Sandiganbayan ruled that preventive suspension remains mandatory despite his detention, it made no specific finding that Romualdez had intimidated witnesses, tampered with evidence, or obstructed the proceedings.
Fajardo said Romualdez respects the court’s ruling and will evaluate available legal remedies while continuing to assert his innocence.
He stressed that the burden remains on the prosecution to prove the allegations against the former Speaker.