Bong Revilla to Face Plunder Charges Again Alongside Maynard Ngu

The Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) has officially recommended that Bong Revilla Jr. and Maynard Ngu, among others, face new plunder and corruption charges in connection with alleged anomalies in flood-control projects.

In a press briefing held on Tuesday, Dec. 3, ICI Chairperson Retired Justice Andres Reyes Jr. announced that the commission had forwarded a case against former Senator Bong Revilla Jr., along with Maynard Ngu and other officials, to the Office of the Ombudsman. The charges include direct or indirect bribery, corruption of public officials, and plunder.

Grounds of Plunder Charges Against Bong Revilla and Maynard Ngu

Alleged Participation in Flood-Control Fund Anomalies

ICI flagged both Revilla and Ngu for their alleged involvement in irregular fund flows associated with multiple flood-control projects. The commission reported patterns of overpricing, questionable contractor selection, and fund diversion.

Suspicious Role of Maynard Ngu as Alleged Bagman

Ngu was identified in testimonies as a supposed intermediary who handled or facilitated the transfer of funds linked to the projects under investigation.

Links to Previously Flagged Transactions

The transactions reviewed by ICI reportedly matched earlier red flags raised by auditors, indicating the repeated use of the same contractors and schemes across various districts.

Accumulation of Unexplained Wealth

ICI stated that financial movements connected to the individuals did not align with legitimate income sources, forming part of the plunder narrative.

Timeline of Key Events

Early 2024 – Initial Audit Concerns Raised

Government audit findings first noted irregularities in flood-control allocations, prompting a deeper review.

Mid-2024 – ICI Expands Its Investigation

The commission began gathering testimonies, documents, and contractor records related to the suspicious projects.

Late 2024 – Names Surface in Testimonies

Ngu and Revilla were repeatedly mentioned in statements submitted to investigators, prompting ICI to include them in its formal case buildup.

2025 – Compilation of Evidence

ICI reviewed fund flows, procurement documents, and witness accounts, forming the basis of the charges.

December 2025 – Recommendation to the Ombudsman

The ICI formally recommended filing plunder and corruption charges against Bong Revilla and Maynard Ngu, based solely on the evidence submitted to the commission.

Additional Kickback Allegations from Ex-DPWH Usec Involving Revilla and Escudero

In a previous report, former DPWH undersecretary Roberto Bernardo stated in his affidavit that both Revilla and Francis Escudero were linked to alleged kickback arrangements tied to flood control and road projects. Bernardo claimed that specific shares were assigned and delivered to the officials through intermediaries, including a reported cash delivery to Revilla and separate project allocations connected to Escudero. His testimony places both figures within the broader system of fund diversion and irregular project approvals that investigators are now reviewing.

Escudero’s Response to the Allegations

Escudero denied former DPWH undersecretary Roberto Bernardo’s claims that he was involved in kickback arrangements related to flood control projects. Escudero described the accusations as part of a coordinated effort to attack the Senate and stated that the allegations were meant to discredit him ahead of ongoing inquiries. He asserted that the testimony had no factual basis and said he welcomed any formal investigation to address the claims.

Escudero was recently cleared by the Commission on Elections Political Finance and Affairs Department regarding a separate case involving a 30-million-peso campaign donation linked to contractor Centerways Construction and Development Inc. The PFAD reported that there was no evidence to suggest the donation originated from prohibited sources and recommended closing the inquiry related to that specific issue. This clearance applies only to the campaign donation controversy and does not affect the ongoing allegations tied to the infrastructure kickback.