Manila: A panel of state prosecutors gave former senator Ramon 'Bong' Revilla Jr.'s lawyers until March 30 to dispute allegations of four additional respondents in the plunder charges filed by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) against him in connection with the anomalous flood control projects. This follows the Department of Justice's (DOJ) decision to approve the NBI's motion to include these new respondents in Revilla's plunder case.

According to Philippines News Agency, Senator Revilla has been granted until March 30 to file his counter affidavit. This move is intended to challenge the allegations presented in the counter-affidavits submitted by the four newly added respondents. DOJ's Polo Martinez informed reporters that Revilla's opposition to the inclusion of these four individuals was rejected by the panel. The individuals in question are former Department of Public Works and Highway (DPWH) engineers Denryl Caesar Cortuna, Manny Bulusan, Ruel Umali, and Arturo Gonzales Jr.

Martinez explained that the inclusion of these four respondents is necessary for the "orderly administration of justice." The ghost projects cases, involving SYMS Construction Trading, have already been filed before the Quezon City Regional Trial Court and the Sandiganbayan. The original charges, filed by the NBI's Bulacan South District Office (Busdo), include malversation, perjury, graft, and falsification. Former DPWH undersecretary Roberto Bernardo has accused Revilla of receiving kickbacks in return for endorsing flood control projects.