All six of Revilla’s co-accused arrested; last two show up at Sandiganbayan

MANILA, January 22 ------ All six co-accused of former Sen. Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. in a malversation case tied to an alleged ghost flood control project in Bulacan have appeared before the Sandiganbayan for the return of their arrest warrants.

On Wednesday morning, Engr. Emelita Juat and Christina Pineda were escorted by the Philippine National Police - Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) and Bulacan Provincial Police to the anti-graft court’s third division. Pineda, a cashier of DPWH Bulacan First District Engineering Office, was arrested early Tuesday at a checkpoint in Barangay Bangao, Buguias, Benguet while allegedly attempting to evade authorities, according to Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jonvic Remulla.

Juat was also arrested by authorities on the same day. However, Pineda’s defense counsel claimed she surrendered to authorities. Juat's team also said she surrendered to the Bulacan Provincial Police. They were both committed to the Quezon City Jail Female Dormitory in Camp Caringal. Revilla and four of his co-accused, including Assistant District Engr. Brice Hernandez, Engr. Jaypee Mendoza, Engr. Arjay Domasig and Juanito Mendoza, were all committed to the Quezon City Jail in Payatas on Tuesday.

The former senator earlier posted bail at the court’s fourth division, which handles his graft case. The pre-trial and arraignment of all accused will be conducted on Jan. 23. On Monday, the Sandiganbayan Third Division issued arrest warrants and hold departure orders against them. The Office of the Ombudsman, which filed the malversation and graft cases on Jan. 16, said the respondents allegedly connived to channel P76 million worth of funds for the construction of the P92.8-million project in Pandi town, which was never implemented despite being declared completed. Revilla has denied the accusation.

Source: news.abs-cbn.com