In a significant development at the Sandiganbayan hearing, an engineer from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has come forward with explosive allegations. Engineer Peter Paul Cortes testified that former Undersecretary Catalina Cabral allegedly ordered the inclusion of ex-senator Ramon "Bong" Revilla Jr. as a project proponent in several initiatives, most notably a controversial flood control project in Pandi, Bulacan.
Details of the Alleged Directive
Cortes revealed that Revilla's name was included in an amended 2025 budget proposal with an errata dated September 2024. This document was reportedly signed by both Cabral and former DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan before being submitted to the House Committee on Appropriations. According to Cortes, the practice of adding proponent names to the agency's database was based on direct instructions from Cabral. He stated that requests for such inclusions were accepted as long as they had an endorsement from her or were part of the regional budget proposal.
Clarifications and Absences
During his testimony, Cortes clarified that his office did not receive any payment for encoding these requests into the system. He also emphasized that he had no knowledge of any alleged sharing or division of project funds. Meanwhile, ex-senator Revilla was absent from the hearing due to a reported migraine. Other DPWH officials are scheduled to testify in the coming days as the case continues to unfold.
This testimony adds a new layer to the ongoing investigation into so-called "ghost" projects, highlighting potential irregularities in budget processes and project endorsements within the DPWH.
