Manila: Four former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) officials have been named as respondents in the ongoing complaint against former senator Ramon "Bong" Revilla Jr., concerning allegedly irregular flood control projects.

According to Philippines News Agency, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) recently filed a motion to include Denryl Caesar Cortuna, Manny Bulusan, Ruel Umali, and Arturo Gonzales Jr. as additional respondents in this case. This was announced by Department of Justice (DOJ) spokesperson Polo Martinez during a press briefing. The four officials will be subpoenaed and asked to submit their respective counter-affidavits to present their defenses.

Martinez explained that the opportunity to submit a counter-affidavit is a standard procedure, allowing the respondents to provide their side of the story. The preliminary investigation, initially scheduled for the day of the announcement, has been postponed to March 3 to accommodate this new development.

Cortuna and Bulusan previously held positions as officer-in-charge district engineers of the South Manila District Engineering Office under DPWH - National Capital Region (NCR). Umali served in the Metro Manila 3rd District Engineering Office, while Gonzales was part of the Office of the Assistant District Engineer of the Quezon City 1st District Engineering Office, DPWH-NCR.

In a related matter, Revilla has submitted a petition for bail concerning a malversation case pending before the Sandiganbayan. This case involves alleged kickbacks from flood control projects in Bulacan, further complicating the legal challenges the former senator is currently facing.