Former senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. posted P90,000 bail on Tuesday before the Sandiganbayan Fourth Division in connection with the graft case filed against him over an alleged P92.8-million ghost flood control project in Pandi, Bulacan.
However, Revilla will not be going home yet. The Sandiganbayan Special Third Division, which is handling the malversation case linked to the project, ordered his temporary detention at the Quezon City Jail–Male Dormitory in Payatas. Malversation is a non-bailable offense, meaning that Revilla must file a separate petition for bail with the Third Division before he can secure his temporary liberty.
Revilla appeared in court accompanied by his wife, Cavite Second District Rep. Lani Mercado-Revilla, and their sons Brian, current Agimat Partylist representative, and Jolo, Cavite First District representative.
The Sandiganbayan issued a warrant of arrest and hold departure order on Monday against Revilla and his six co-accused. The project in question, awarded to a contractor in March 2025, was allegedly declared completed despite never having been implemented. Prosecutors said the accused conspired to facilitate the release of P76 million in public funds through falsified reports, fraudulent billing documents, and endorsed disbursement vouchers.
Earlier, former DPWH Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo told a Senate inquiry that he had given Revilla a list of projects in 2024, and the then senator requested a “commitment fee” of 25 percent of the project cost. Bernardo said former DPWH Bulacan district engineer Henry Alcantara collected about P125 million, which was delivered to Revilla’s house in Cavite. Both Bernardo and Alcantara have been accepted as state witnesses in the flood control cases.
Temporary detention, no special treatment
The Sandiganbayan Special Third Division, led by Associate Justice Karl Miranda, cited a letter from PNP acting chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. noting that the PNP Custodial Center in Camp Crame was reserved for high-risk detainees such as suspected terrorists. Housing Revilla there would place an extra burden on security and manpower.
Revilla’s detention at the Quezon City Jail is temporary. His camp has filed a motion to transfer him to the PNP Custodial Center, which the court will hear on Friday, 23 January.
Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla, who accompanied Revilla to the court, said the former senator also turned over 20 firearms to authorities.
“The Sandiganbayan will decide where I will be detained. That is not for us to determine,” Revilla said.
He had previously expressed disappointment over the issuance of the warrant before his voluntary surrender, saying: “I am saddened that it seems due process was not observed. Still, I will face this without fear. I know the Lord will not abandon me because I am innocent.”
Remulla emphasized that Revilla will not receive special treatment and will join the general inmate population at whichever facility the Sandiganbayan deems appropriate.
Co-accused arrested, one at large
Five of Revilla’s six co-accused have been arrested. Christina Mae del Rosario Pineda, 38, a DPWH cashier, was apprehended early Tuesday in Buguias, Benguet, and transported back to Region 3. Others in custody include former assistant district engineer Brice Hernandez, engineers Jaypee Mendoza and Arjay Domasig, and former finance chief Juanito Mendoza.
Only former DPWH Bulacan district engineer Emelita Capistrano Juat remains at large.
All are facing malversation of public funds charges, a non-bailable offense.
Jolo Revilla: ‘Not evasion, but confrontation’
Revilla’s son, Cavite 3rd District Rep. Jolo Revilla, said his father’s surrender was a deliberate decision to confront the allegations.
“This is not evasion, but confrontation. He believes that the proper place to resolve these issues is inside the courtroom, where facts matter and the law speaks louder than speculation.”
He called on the public to allow the justice system to do its work.
“We ask for fair treatment under the law, fair judgment based on evidence, and fairness in public discourse — free from trial by publicity. In the end, we believe that the truth will prevail,” he said.
Lawyer: Revilla’s due process upheld
Upon surrendering to the CIDG on 19 January 2025, former Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. went live on Facebook, lamenting the lack of “due process” in his arrest.
Atty. Bam Manahan, however, said there was no illegal detention or due process violation, noting that Revilla voluntarily surrendered.
“Under the Revised Penal Code, slight illegal detention occurs only if a private person unlawfully deprives someone of liberty,” Manahan told DAILY TRIBUNE Tuesday. He stressed that Revilla, as a public official, was arrested under a valid Sandiganbayan warrant — a competent court with jurisdiction over the case.
Manahan added that due process requires an accused be notified and given the chance to defend themselves. Revilla did so by filing two counter-affidavits with the DoJ in relation to the P92.8 million ghost flood control project in Pandi, Bulacan — on 10 December 2025 and 5 January — both denying any wrongdoing.
Also arrested were former DPWH Bulacan First District officials: 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.