Department of the Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla on Tuesday said no special treatment will be given to his longtime friend and former senator Ramon Revilla Jr. following his arrest in connection with an alleged ghost flood control project.

“We've been lifelong friends ever since the 1980s. We've been friends for a long time,” Remulla said during a DILG press briefing at the PNP National Headquarters Camp Crame.

“But, duty calls. There are no exceptions to the rule,” he added.

Remulla said Revilla called him after the release of an electronic warrant, prompting him to advise the former lawmaker to surrender.

He added that Revilla underwent standard booking procedures upon arrival at the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group in Camp Crame on Monday night, including a medical checkup, photograph, height measurement, profiling, and mug shot.

“He was found to be in good physical shape and capable of undergoing trial,” Remulla said.

The DILG chief stressed that unlike Revilla’s previous case, no special detention arrangements will be made, as the Sandiganbayan will determine where the former senator will be held.

"So, the available facilities, we submitted them to Sandigan. So, I assure you, there will be no special treatment," he said.

Revilla was acquitted in 2018 of plunder charges linked to the alleged misuse of Priority Development Assistance Fund allocations.

In the present case, Revilla and six other dismissed former officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways were served arrest warrants by the Sandiganbayan Third Division over a P92.8 million ghost flood control project in Pandi, Bulacan.

Also arrested were former DPWH Bulacan First District Engineering Office assistant district engineer Brice Hernandez; engineers Jaypee Mendoza, Arjay Domasig, and Emelita Juat; former finance section chief Juanito Mendoza; and cashier Christina Mae del Rosario.

Remulla said Revilla also surrendered around 20 firearms.

“Since he will be detained, he will no longer be able to be in possession of those firearms. If he doesn't surrender, he will be in danger of raids on loose firearms,” he said.