Cavite 1st District Rep. Jolo Revilla said his father’s decision to turn himself in was meant to place the case squarely before the courts, not to avoid the allegations linked to questioned flood control projects.
Former senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. surrendered to authorities on Monday night, January 19, after a warrant of arrest was issued against him in connection with a non-bailable malversation case. The case stems from alleged irregularities involving flood control works.
By Tuesday, January 20, Revilla was brought before the Sandiganbayan in Quezon City. The anti-graft court’s 3rd Division ordered his temporary detention at the New Quezon City Male Dormitory in Payatas. Supporters gathered outside the Sandiganbayan compound as the proceedings unfolded.
In a Facebook post issued the same day, Rep. Revilla said the voluntary surrender reflected his father’s intent to directly confront the accusations and his confidence in the country’s justice system.
“The decision of my father, Ramon Bong Revilla, Jr., to voluntarily submit himself to the authorities was a deliberate step to confront the accusations head-on and to affirm his faith in our legal institutions,” he said.
He stressed that the move should not be read as avoidance, but as a willingness to face the charges in court. “Hindi ito pag-iwas, kundi pagharap. 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 added.
The lawmaker acknowledged the personal toll of the situation on their family, while underscoring the principles he said must guide the process. “As a son, this is a difficult moment for our family. As a legislator, I recognize the importance of accountability and the integrity of due process. In this light, we respectfully call for fairness—fair treatment under the law, fair judgment based on evidence, and fairness in public discourse that refrains from trial by publicity,” he said.
Rep. Revilla also appealed to the public and the media to allow legal proceedings to take their course without external pressure. “I therefore ask the public and the media to allow the justice system to work—without pressure, noise, or premature conclusions,” he said.
