Revilla and co-accused seek court permission to file demurrer in flood project case

Former Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla, Jr. and his co-accused JP Mendoza have requested that the Sandiganbayan Third Division allow them to file a demurrer to evidence in the P92.8 million malversation case concerning an anomalous flood-control project in Pandi, Bulacan. A demurrer seeks dismissal of the charges on the ground that the evidence presented is weak. The court previously approved Revilla’s bail application after a split vote, stating that prosecutors had offered no proof of any explicit or implicit agreement to receive advance kickbacks.

Associate Justice Fritz Bryn Anthony Delos Santos authored the resolution, emphasizing the absence of a link between the alleged funding actions and any understanding of recovering kickbacks. Revilla’s temporary release was conditioned on a cash bond of P1 million. The request now focuses on challenging the evidentiary basis of the case.