President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. expressed sadness over the arrest of former Sen. Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr., whom he considers both an ally and a personal friend, Malacañang said Tuesday.
Speaking to reporters, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said Marcos expressed sadness over the incident when asked about Revilla’s arrest during a meeting at Malacañan Palace in Manila earlier in the day.
“Natanong natin kanina ang Pangulo noong tayo ay nagkaroon ng meeting with him. Tinanong ko siya kung anong nararamdaman niya. (We asked the President earlier during our meeting with him how he felt),” she said.
“Sabi niya malungkot siya dahil nakasama niya ito sa Alyansa at kaibigan niya si Senator Bong Revilla (He said he was saddened because Revilla was his ally in the Alyansa and is his friend),” Castro added.
However, the Palace acknowledged that legal process must be followed, considering that Revilla was implicated in the anomalous flood control project in Bulacan, the Palace official said.
She emphasized the importance of allowing the legal process to take its course.
“Pero ganoon pa man, proseso pa rin ang mananaig. Kailangan pong pagdaanan ito dahil may proseso. Still, sinabi po niya na malungkot po siya sa nangyari,” Castro added.
Revilla sought reelection under the administration-backed Alyansa para sa Bagong Pilipinas senatorial slate in 2025 but did not win.
He voluntarily surrendered to authorities on Monday night after the Sandiganbayan Third Division ordered his arrest over his alleged involvement in the so-called “ghost” flood control projects in Pandi, Bulacan.
Detained
Revilla is detained at the Quezon City Jail, located in Payatas and under the supervision of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology.
He was taken in at 2:28 p.m. on Tuesday based on a commitment order issued by the Sandiganbayan.
Four of his co-accused – dismissed Department of Public Works and Highways-Bulacan engineers Brice Hernandez, Jaypee Mendoza, Arjay Domasig and Juanito — were brought to the same facility at 5:35 p.m.
BJMP spokesperson Supt. Jayrex Bustinera said Revilla’s detention cell measures 47 square meters which can accommodate 10 people, has five double deck beds, and one restroom with shower. (With a report from Lloyd Caliwan/PNA)