Former DPWH Engineer Emelita Juat Pleads Not Guilty in Graft Case Over Flood Control Project
Former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Engineer Emelita Juat has formally entered a not guilty plea in a graft case concerning a flood control project. The plea was submitted during a hearing at the Fourth Division of the Sandiganbayan, where Juat personally appeared to face the charges.
Arraignment and Pre-Trial Proceedings for Co-Accused Postponed
While Juat's arraignment proceeded, the arraignment and pre-trial for other accused individuals, including former Senator Bong Revilla, former Public Works Engineer Brice Hernandez, Jaypee Mendoza, and others, were postponed by the court. This delay resulted from motions filed by the defense, such as motions to quash arrest warrants, motions to quash information, and motions for reinvestigation.
Consequently, the court has rescheduled these proceedings to February 9 of the following month. Despite the cancellation of the planned arraignment yesterday, Atty. Reody Anthony Balisi, the lawyer for former Senator Bong Revilla, emphasized that filing motions is a right of the accused.
Additional Case Rescheduling and Jail Inspection
In a related development, the reading of charges and pre-trial for another case involving the former lawmaker at the Third Division of the Sandiganbayan has also been moved. The new schedule is set for the same date, February 9, for a malversation case filed against him and several former officials.
Following the cancelled arraignment, magistrates personally inspected the Quezon City Jail Male Dormitory in Payatas, where male accused in the graft and malversation cases are currently detained. This inspection comes amid concerns raised by former Senator Revilla's camp, who filed a motion requesting his transfer to the Philippine National Police custodial facility due to security fears.
Background of the Graft and Malversation Cases
The cases faced by the former lawmaker and DPWH officials are linked to a ghost flood control project in Pandi, Bulacan. According to information from the Office of the Ombudsman, they are implicated in the release of over 76 million pesos for a project that was never implemented, despite being funded with 92.8 million pesos.
The prosecution has been given several days to submit their position and comments regarding the motions filed by the accused, as the legal proceedings continue to unfold in this high-profile corruption scandal.
