“Sino sa inyo may kaibigan na nakulong? It pains me to see a friend go to jail but my commitment to country goes beyond friendship.”

This was how Jonvic Remulla, secretary of the Department of the Interior and Local Government, described the surrender of his friend, former senator Bong Revilla.

Speaking at a press conference at Camp Crame on Thursday afternoon, Remulla said public office demands fidelity to duty and the equal application of the law, even when enforcement involves close friends and long-time associates.

Remulla stressed that personal relationships cannot override responsibility to the country, emphasizing that national interest must always prevail.

“Uunahin natin ang bansa. We have our fidelity to duty and it cannot be broken by friendship and by brotherhood,” Remulla said. “It is our commitment to country. It is our commitment to the President, it is our commitment to our job,” he added.

Remulla also said Revilla and six others are currently housed in separate cells as part of the mandatory seven-day quarantine required for all newly admitted inmates to check for infectious diseases.

“So after the 7 days, they will be incorporated in the general population.”

The DILG chief said Revilla is a regular inmate at the Payatas City Jail and is wearing standard Bureau of Jail Management and Penology-issued clothing.

“He's a regular inmate in Payatas City Jail. Just to be clear.”

Remulla said jail rules are being strictly enforced, including restrictions on food deliveries, cooking, and gadget use.

“Bawal rin po ang gadget. Wala siyang gadget na hawak doon. Wala siyang cellphone, wala siyang iPad, wala siyang personal computer.”

He noted that limited gadget use is allowed only during legal consultations.

The DILG reiterated that no special treatment is being given, stressing that the law applies equally to all.

“Ang privileges ng senator ay pareho sa privileges ng shoplifter. Pareho lang.”