

MANILA, Philippines — The Sandiganbayan entered a not guilty plea for former lawmaker Bong Revilla in his malversation case after he declined to enter a plea during arraignment.
The anti-graft court recorded the plea on Monday, February 16, in connection with the alleged anomalous P92.8 million flood control project in Pandi, Bulacan.
Revilla’s co-accused likewise entered not guilty pleas.
Appeal allowed, trial to proceed. The Sandiganbayan said it allowed Revilla and co-accused Jaypee Mendoza to appeal the Ombudsman’s resolution filing the malversation case over the alleged ghost project in Pandi.
However, the court said proceedings in the malversation case would proceed despite the appeal.
On February 9, Revilla also declined to enter a plea in his separate graft case, saying he did not want to undermine their pending motion to quash.
The arraignment in the malversation case had initially been set for February 9 but was moved to February 16 due to pending appeals.
RELATED:Sandiganbayan enters not guilty plea for Bong Revilla graft case
Inhibition bid denied.On February 10, the Sandiganbayan denied Revilla’s motion seeking the inhibition of Associate Justice Karl Miranda.
Revilla argued that Miranda should recuse himself because the justice’s brother had previously served as legal counsel for former Public Works and Highways Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo during a Senate investigation into flood control projects.
The court rejected the motion, citing lack of merit.
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