Former Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. surrendered to authorities at Camp Crame Monday night, hours after the Sandiganbayan issued a warrant for his arrest in connection with an alleged P92.8-million “ghost” flood control project.
Revilla arrived at the Philippine National Police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) office at approximately 9:58 p.m. to turn himself in.
The surrender followed a ruling by the Sandiganbayan Third Division, which found probable cause to proceed with malversation and graft charges filed by the Office of the Ombudsman.
The anti-graft court also issued a Hold Departure Order (HDO) against the former senator and six other co-accused to prevent them from leaving the country.
The case centers on a 2025 flood control project in Pandi, Bulacan. According to state prosecutors, Revilla and several former officials from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Bulacan 1st District Engineering Office allegedly conspired to release P76 million in public funds for a project that was never implemented. Investigators claim accomplishment reports and billing documents were falsified to make the project appear complete.
In a video statement released shortly before his surrender, Revilla maintained his innocence and questioned the speed of the court’s action.
“It is saddening; it seems there was no due process,” Revilla said in Filipino. “Nevertheless, I will face this without fear because I know I have done nothing wrong.”
The other individuals named in the arrest warrant include former DPWH officials Brice Hernandez, Jaypee Mendoza, Arjay Domasig, Emelita Juat, Juanito Mendoza, and Christina Pineda.
Revilla’s involvement in the controversy surfaced during a Senate Blue Ribbon Committee investigation last year, where a former DPWH official alleged that kickbacks were distributed to several lawmakers in exchange for endorsing infrastructure projects.
The malversation charges are considered non-bailable as the amount involved exceeds the P8.8-million threshold set by law. Revilla is expected to remain in custody pending further orders from the Sandiganbayan.