Revilla lawyers hit ex-DPWH exec’s ‘evolving’ testimony

MANILA, Philippines – Former senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr.’s alleged involvement in an anomalous flood control project is baseless and built on the shifting testimonies of witnesses, his lawyers said Monday.

Revilla appeared before the Department of Justice (DOJ) to answer the allegations through his counter-affidavit.

Revilla’s counter-affidavit is in connection with the flood control project in Bulacan involving Wawao Builders, which was reported to have been completed but, upon inspection, turned out to be “grossly deficient or completely non-existent.”

READ: Bong Revilla files formal response to flood-control allegations before DOJ

“Our client, former Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. filed his counter-affidavit to directly address the baseless allegations raised against him,”his lead counsel Atty. Francesca Senga told reporters.

Senga explained that the complaint is baseless because it “is based on incredible and incompetent evidence. In fact, it is based on hearsay and it comes from an incredible, unbelievable, and unreliable source.”

Former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo tagged Revilla in the flood control projects.

He said in 2024, he delivered P125 million to the residence of the former senator. Then, another P250 million was allegedly delivered to Revilla by Bernardo’s aide before the 2025 elections.

The former senator repeatedly denied the allegations.

Echoing Senga’s statement, Atty. Ramon Esguerra, collaborative lawyer for Revilla said Bernardo’s testimony tends to evolve.

“You have to look at the entire situation…You will see that in the case of [Usec] Bernardo, I think we pointed out that he has submitted five affidavits,” Esguerra told reporters.

Esguerra pointed to the fluctuating nature of the accusations, suggesting they were tailored to fit the investigation.

“One original [affidavit], then a supplement [affidavit], then another supplement. So, kung ganun pa bago-bago ang istorya mo…bakit hindi mo isahin yung storya [if you keep changing your story, why don’t you just stitch it to one narrative]? Palaging mayroon pinagtatakpan, kaya yung narrative nila hindi mo maintindihan [The story keeps changing. They are always covering something up. That is why you can no longer understand their narrative,” he said.

Esguerra added that the only evidence linking Revilla to the projects is a tabular list.

“It is just a tabular enumeration of projects allegedly suggested by the DPWH (Department of Public Works and Highways). It did not come from the senator himself,” he added. /gsg