THREE defendants in a graft case involving an alleged “ghost project” in Pandi, Bulacan, pleaded not guilty before the Sandiganbayan Fourth Division on Wednesday.
Brice Hernandez, a former assistant district engineer, Jaypee Mendoza and Christina Pineda entered the pleas during their scheduled arraignment.
The court deferred the arraignment of Arjay Domasig after he appeared without legal counsel. Domasig told the court he has yet to find a lawyer. His arraignment was rescheduled for Feb. 9.
Hernandez, Mendoza, Pineda and Domasig were among those charged by the Office of the Ombudsman earlier this month. The group was charged alongside former senator Ramong “Bong” Revilla, who currently has a pending motion before the court.
On Friday, the court reset Revilla’s arraignment to Feb. 9 while his motion is being considered.
Meanwhile, the court moved Juanito Mendoza’s arraignment from Feb. 28 to Feb. 9 pending a motion.
Emelita Juat pleaded not guilty to graft charges.
In addition to graft, the Office of the Ombudsman charged Revilla and the six other defendants with malversation of public funds through falsification of public documents. That case was assigned to the Sandiganbayan Third Division.
All the accused remain in detention.