Former senator Ramon Revilla Jr. on Tuesday appeared before the Sandiganbayan for the return of his warrant of arrest in connection with graft and malversation charges linked to an alleged ghost flood control project.
Revilla surrendered on Monday night at the PNP National Headquarters Camp Crame, the same day the Sandiganbayan issued a warrant of arrest against him over the case.
Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla, who accompanied Revilla to the anti-graft court, said the former lawmaker turned over around 20 firearms to authorities.
“the Sandiganbayan will be the one to decide where I will be detained. It is not for us to determine,” Revilla said.
The charges against Revilla and six former officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways Bulacan First District Engineering Office stem from the alleged P92.8 million flood control project in Pandi, Bulacan that prosecutors said was declared completed despite never being implemented.
Remulla said five of Revilla’s co-accused have been arrested, while a manhunt remains underway for Emelita Juat.
According to the prosecution, the respondents allegedly conspired to facilitate the release of P76 million for the flood control project, which inspection reports and witness accounts indicated was never carried out.
Prosecutors alleged the accused falsified accomplishment reports, issued fraudulent billing documents, and endorsed disbursement vouchers to support the supposed completion of the project.
Revilla’s son, Ramon Jolo Revilla, said his father’s surrender was “a deliberate step to confront the accusations head-on and to affirm his faith in our legal institutions.”
“Hindi ito pag-iwas, kundi pagharap. He believes that the proper place to resolve these issues is inside the courtroom, where facts matter and the law speaks louder than speculation,” the younger Revilla said.
He called for “fair treatment under the law, fair judgment based on evidence, and fairness in public discourse that refrains from trial by publicity.”
“I therefore ask the public and the media to allow the justice system to work—without pressure, noise, or premature conclusions,” he added.
“Nagpapasalamat kami sa patuloy na panalangin at malasakit ng mga taong nananatiling naniniwala sa patas at makatarungang paglilitis. Sa huli, naniniwala kami na ang katotohanan ang mananaig,” he said.
Revilla Jr. earlier lamented what he described as a lack of due process but said he would face the charges.
“We received oinformation that my warrant of arrest was issued. It’s sad that it seems there is no due process. However, I will face this without fear as I know God will not abandon me because I have done nothing wrong,” Revilla said.
The former senator was previously acquitted of plunder charges related to the alleged misuse of his Priority Development Assistance Fund. He was implicated in the flood control case after former DPWH undersecretary Roberto Bernardo alleged that kickbacks were delivered in exchange for endorsing flood control projects.