‘Ghost’ project in Revilla case ‘95%’ done in 21 days–NBI agent
The P92.8-million alleged “ghost” project in Bulacan’s Pandi town—the subject of a graft and malversation case against former Sen. Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr.—was declared “95 percent” complete in just 21 days.
At the Sandiganbayan Third Division’s bail hearing on the malversation case on Monday, agent Ivan Bernard Samson of the National Bureau of Investigation testified that the “notice to proceed” for the project was issued on April 8, 2025, but this was declared “95.17 percent” done 21 days later.
Contrary to the declaration, the construction could drag on for as long as 270 days, according to Samson, who is assigned in Bulacan.
Samson also showed a video footage he took of the project using his mobile phone during his first inspection on Sept. 16 last year. It depicted a muddy riverside.
When asked by Associate Justice Ronald Moreno, a member of the Third Division, if he agreed that the project is not 95-percent complete, he said: “I agree, your honor. That is not 95 percent [complete].”
The NBI agent said he returned “three or four times” to inspect the project from September 2025 onward. The last time he did so in November last year, Samson said he already saw capping beams being installed.
Malversation nonbailable
Revilla is facing a separate graft case over the same allegedly anomalous project in the Fourth Division, for which he posted a P90,000 bail. He has been jailed since January because the malversation case is nonbailable.
Government prosecutors alleged that Revilla and six others, including former public works officials in Bulacan, conspired to facilitate the release of P76 million for the construction of the flood control project in Purok 5, Barangay Bunsuran, Pandi town. It turned out the project was never implemented.
The project was awarded to the contractor in March 2025 when Revilla was still a senator.
Meanwhile, Samson confirmed that the NBI did not issue a subpoena against Revilla because the “weight of evidence [against Revilla] is sufficient for prosecution.”
Samson also said the NBI used the testimony of former Public Works undersecretary Roberto Bernardo as evidence against Revilla. Bernardo alleged that in 2024, he delivered P125 million to Revilla’s residence. Bernardo’s aide also allegedly delivered another P250 million to Revilla before the 2025 midterm elections.
The senator has denied the allegations, calling these “hearsay.” Bernardo is now a state witness in the cases arising from the flood control mess.
