Villanueva, Revilla deny role in flood control scam

National

SEN. Joel Villanueva and former Senator Ramon Revilla Jr. have submitted counter-affidavits denying involvement in anomalous flood control projects in Bulacan.

The two prominent figures implicated in the controversial issue attended the preliminary investigation conducted by the Department of Justice (DOJ) on Tuesday, Jan. 5.

Villanueva and Revilla are facing complaints of graft, bribery, corruption and malversation.

Revilla, who is also named as an additional respondent in one of the flood control cases, dismissed the accusations as legally unsound.

In a report by Philstar, Revilla’s lawyer argued the complaint relied on hearsay and failed to identify specific acts that would establish criminal liability.

The defense further claimed the case amounted to harassment, saying the evidence presented did not meet even the minimum threshold required for a preliminary investigation.

Central to the allegations against Revilla is a claim by former public works undersecretary Roberto Bernardo, who alleged the former senator received commissions amounting to 25 percent of the value of flood control projects.

Revilla has repeatedly denied the accusation and has previously faced a separate graft complaint linked to a construction firm.

Villanueva described the charges against him as absurd and politically motivated.

Speaking to reporters, he said his presence at the proceedings underscored his respect for due process, even as he questioned the credibility of the complaint.

The senator was implicated by a dismissed district engineer who claimed Villanueva received millions in commissions allegedly delivered to a private property in Bulacan.

Villanueva flatly denied receiving any such funds, noting that he has publicly opposed certain flood control projects in the past — positions that, he said, placed him at odds with other political figures.(Xienderlyn Trinidad, USJ-R Comm Intern)