Former Senator Ramon "Bong" Revilla Jr. turned himself in to authorities on Monday evening, January 19, 2026, following the issuance of an arrest warrant connected to a multi-million peso anomalous flood control project in Bulacan.
Voluntary Surrender at Camp Crame
Revilla presented himself to Philippine National Police (PNP) acting chief Lieutenant General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. at Camp Crame. His surrender came hours after the anti-graft court Sandiganbayan issued the warrant against him and six other individuals. Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla disclosed that Revilla was accompanied by his wife, Cavite Second District Representative Lani Mercado, and his sons, Cavite First District Representative Jolo Revilla and Agimat party list Representative Bryan Revilla.
In a press conference on Tuesday, January 20, Remulla recounted his conversation with the former senator. "He called me yesterday when the electronic warrant was issued. I told him that it would be best for him to surrender, and he was accepted here at the CIDG. That's where he voluntarily surrendered," Remulla stated.
The Secretary emphasized their long-standing friendship since the 1980s but underscored that "duty calls." He added, "There are no exceptions to the rule. And when the Sandiganbayan says to arrest him, the best I could do is advise him to surrender peacefully."
Revilla's Protest and Booking Procedures
While en route to Camp Crame via a Facebook Live broadcast, Revilla expressed dismay over what he perceived as a lack of due process. "It's saddening, it seems like there was no due process. But despite that, I will face this without fear, and I know that God will not abandon me because I am innocent in this matter," he lamented.
Upon surrender, Revilla underwent standard booking procedures at the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), which included a medical checkup, mugshots, and fingerprinting. Secretary Remulla also confirmed that Revilla surrendered 20 firearms registered under his name, a necessary step as he would be unable to possess them while detained.
Shortly before 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Revilla was transported to the Sandiganbayan for the official return of the warrant, with Remulla personally accompanying him. The Interior Secretary denied allegations of special treatment, noting that the court would decide on Revilla's detention facility. The PNP custodial center, where Revilla was previously detained, is currently unavailable due to renovations.
Details of the Case and Co-Accused
The charges stem from a P92.8 million ghost flood control project in Purok 5, Barangay Bunsuran, Pandi, Bulacan. The Office of the Ombudsman filed a case on January 16, 2026, against Revilla and his co-accused for malversation of public funds through falsification of public documents. The crime is punishable by imprisonment, fines, restitution of misappropriated funds, and perpetual disqualification from public office.
This case echoes previous Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearings where former Department of Public Works and Highways undersecretary Roberto Bernardo claimed he delivered at least P125 million to Revilla's Cavite house as a commission for five Bulacan projects totaling P500 million.
Regarding the other accused, Remulla reported that five have been arrested: former Bulacan First District engineers Brice Hernandez, Jaypee Mendoza, Juanito Mendoza, and Arjay Domasig, who are under National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) custody, and Christina Mae Pineda, who was nabbed at a checkpoint in Benguet province. One co-accused, Emelita Capistrano Juat, remains at large, though investigators have identified her whereabouts.
The Sandiganbayan also issued a hold departure order against Revilla and his co-accused. This is not Revilla's first legal battle; he was previously detained from June 2014 to December 2018 for plunder and graft charges related to the pork barrel scam, where he was accused of amassing P224.5 million in kickbacks.
