MANILA, Philippines — Former Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. is back behind bars. On Tuesday, the Sandiganbayan ordered the detention of the former lawmaker and several co-accused at the New Quezon City Jail in Payatas following their involvement in a multi-million peso “ghost” flood control project in Bulacan.
The move marks a dramatic turn for Revilla, who surrendered to authorities on Monday night. While he was able to post a P90,000 bail for his graft charge, the accompanying charge of malversation of public funds—involving a P92.8-million project in Pandi, Bulacan—is non-bailable, requiring his immediate incarceration.
No VIP Treatment Jail officials were quick to dispel any rumors of special treatment. Revilla will be housed in a 47-square-meter cell shared with seven other inmates. Like all other detainees in the facility, he is allotted a daily food allowance of P100. The cell is equipped with basic bunk beds and has no air conditioning.
“We don’t have VIP treatment or solitary confinement,” stated Jail Chief Inspector Jayrex Joseph Bustinera. Revilla will first undergo a mandatory seven-day quarantine period as part of standard health protocols before being integrated into the general population.
The Co-Accused Joining Revilla in the Payatas facility are four of his co-accused from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH):
- Brice Hernandez (Engineer)
- Jaypee Mendoza (Engineer)
- Arjay Domasig (Engineer)
- Juanito Mendoza (Accountant)
These officials were previously held in Senate custody for contempt during the Blue Ribbon Committee hearings. Meanwhile, Christina Mae del Rosario Pineda, a DPWH cashier, was arrested early Tuesday in Benguet, while one other accused remains at large.
Legal and Political Fallout The case against Revilla centers on allegations that he and the engineers conspired to release P76 million in payments for a project that was found to be nonexistent. The former senator maintained his innocence in a Facebook Live video during his surrender, claiming a “lack of due process.”
Malacañang, however, defended the legal proceedings. Palace press officer Claire Castro noted that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. was “saddened” by the situation involving his political ally but emphasized that “no one will be spared” and “due process must prevail.”
As part of the surrender process, the PNP also seized 21 firearms from Revilla after his licenses were revoked. The arraignment and pretrial conference for all accused are scheduled for January 23, where the court will also hear Revilla’s petition to be transferred to the PNP Custodial Center in Camp Crame for “security reasons.”