MANILA, Philippines, Feb. 9, 2026 — The Sandiganbayan Fourth Division entered a not guilty plea for former Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. after he refused to enter a plea during his arraignment on graft charges linked to an alleged ghost flood control project in Pandi, Bulacan. The anti-graft court recorded the plea on his behalf, in accordance with procedure when an accused declines to respond.

Revilla, who is currently detained at the New Quezon City Jail in Payatas, faces charges over the supposed anomalous P92.8 million flood control project. His co-accused, Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Bulacan 1st District Engineering Office engineer Arjay Domasig and accountant Juanito Mendoza, both pleaded not guilty before the same division.

The case stems from allegations that the flood control project was never implemented despite the release of funds, with prosecutors accusing Revilla and several DPWH officials of conspiring to defraud the government. The Sandiganbayan has previously deferred parts of the arraignment due to pending motions, but proceedings resumed on Monday with the formal entry of pleas.

Revilla, who was acquitted of plunder in 2018 in connection with the pork barrel scam, now faces another high-profile legal battle. Upon arriving at the Sandiganbayan earlier in the day, he told reporters, “Laban lang… I love you all,” signaling his intent to fight the charges.

The Fourth Division will continue pre-trial proceedings in the coming weeks, while prosecutors prepare to present evidence against Revilla and his co-accused. The case adds to the growing list of corruption-related controversies surrounding flood control projects, which have been flagged by lawmakers and watchdog groups as prone to irregularities.

A Plea Entered, the System Moves On

Court procedure is designed to keep cases moving, even when defendants refuse to cooperate in small but symbolic ways. A not guilty plea entered by the Sandiganbayan is routine, yet it also highlights how the justice system must function regardless of theatrics, silence, or public posturing.

This case reflects a deeper tension in corruption prosecutions: public memory is long, but accountability is often slow. Flood control projects have repeatedly surfaced as fertile ground for ghost contracts, inflated costs, and paper compliance that collapses under scrutiny only years later.

If alleged corruption can cycle through the courts again and again, what will finally make public funds harder to steal than to defend?

Image from GMA News