Former Philippine Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. and four co-accused are expected to complete a mandatory medical quarantine at the Quezon City Jail Male Dormitory by Tuesday, January 27, or possibly Wednesday, January 28, clearing the way for their integration into the general inmate population, jail officials said Sunday.
The seven-day quarantine followed the group’s court-ordered detention over allegations that ₱92.8 million in public funds was siphoned through a ghost flood control project in Pandi, Bulacan. Health checks and security assessments have so far found no illnesses or immediate threats, according to the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP).
Standard Quarantine Nears Its End
Jail officials said the quarantine is part of routine intake procedures for newly admitted persons deprived of liberty (PDLs), designed to act as a firewall against disease and security risks before detainees mix with the wider population.
“So far, there have been no diseases monitored,” said BJMP spokesperson Jail Superintendent Jayrex Bustinera. “Security assessment, risk assessment, and interviews of persons deprived of liberty are also included in the seven-day period.”
Officials are also consulting with current inmates to gauge acceptance and identify potential risks. “We’re also checking if the PDLs are okay with it,” Bustinera added. “Second, we’re looking into the possibility of security threats. We don’t want any unfavorable events while they are under our care.”
Where Revilla and His Co-Accused Are Being Held
The detainees are housed at the New Quezon City Jail in Barangay Payatas, a modern facility equipped with an infirmary, training rooms, livelihood areas, and telehearing facilities. Upon entry, they were issued standard yellow shirts, jogging pants, an extra shirt, and hygiene kits. Unauthorized civilian clothing and electronic devices were returned through their lawyers.
Bustinera rejected claims that the facility was unsuitable, emphasizing equal treatment under custody rules. “We saw no basis [for a transfer]. Every prisoner has the right to request detention location if the court approves,” he said. “BJMP assures it’s a secure, new, modern, humane facility.”
Allegations Rooted in a Flood Control Project
The case centers on an alleged ₱92.8-million flood control project in Pandi, Bulacan that prosecutors say existed only on paper. Revilla is accused alongside former officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways’ Bulacan 1st District Engineering Office:
- Brice Hernandez
- Jaypee Mendoza
- Arjay Domasig
- Juanito Mendoza, a finance section chief
The Office of the Ombudsman filed malversation charges, with a related graft case handled by another division of the Sandiganbayan.
Court Orders and a Denied Transfer
Revilla surrendered to police on January 19 and was escorted to the Sandiganbayan a day later, where the court ordered his temporary detention at the Quezon City Jail. His legal team requested a transfer to Philippine National Police custody, citing security concerns, but the Sandiganbayan Third Division denied the appeal.
On January 24, the division’s justices conducted an on-site inspection of the jail, reviewing cells, medical facilities, and daily operations before affirming the detention arrangement. The court also postponed pretrial and arraignment proceedings to February 9.
Judicial Scrutiny and Ethical Challenges
During the proceedings, questions were raised about potential judicial conflict due to a justice’s perceived ties to one of Revilla’s lawyers. Justice Karl Miranda said he had reviewed the applicable rules and found no grounds to step aside.
“I have reviewed both Rule 137 of the Rules of Court regarding the disqualification of judicial officers and the newly enacted 2025 Code of Judicial Conduct and Accountability,” he said. “I have found no basis for my mandatory inhibition under either.”
What Happens After Quarantine
Once medical clearance is completed, jail officials will assign Revilla and the co-accused to cells based on risk and security evaluations. Authorities said those assignments could involve separation between the high-profile detainee and his co-accused, depending on ongoing assessments.
For now, the quarantine has unfolded without incident—an administrative pause before the legal process resumes. As the calendar moves toward February hearings, the case underscores the continuing scrutiny of public works spending, particularly projects meant to protect communities from flooding but alleged, in this instance, to have never risen above the page.
