Former senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. on Monday in Manila, Philippines, voluntarily surrendered to arresting authorities after the Sandiganbayan issued an arrest warrant against him in connection with an alleged anomalous flood control project scandal.
The Sandiganbayan earlier issued a warrant of arrest and a corresponding hold departure order against Revilla and several others in relation to the case.
Revilla announced on Monday evening in a video posted on his Facebook account that he received information about the issuance of the warrant for his arrest.
Revilla’s office confirmed that he chose to surrender himself to authorities following the issuance of the court order.
Authorities processed Revilla’s surrender in accordance with the procedures set by the Sandiganbayan for implementing arrest warrants.
Court records showed that the warrant of arrest stemmed from charges filed before the Sandiganbayan involving alleged irregularities in flood control projects.
Prosecutors filed the case after investigators conducted inquiries into the questioned flood control projects and submitted their findings to the Office of the Ombudsman.
The Office of the Ombudsman reviewed the findings, prepared the corresponding charges, and elevated the case to the Sandiganbayan.
The Sandiganbayan evaluated the complaint, found probable cause, and ordered the issuance of the arrest warrant and hold departure order against Revilla and his co-accused.
Law enforcement teams coordinated with the Sandiganbayan to receive the warrant and implement it against Revilla and the other respondents.
Revilla’s legal team prepared to address the charges before the Sandiganbayan following his surrender to authorities.
The Sandiganbayan scheduled further proceedings to hear the case and determine the next steps in the judicial process.
Officials confirmed that the hold departure order would prevent Revilla and the other accused from leaving the country while the case remained pending before the court.
The Sandiganbayan clerk of court transmitted the arrest warrant and hold departure order to the appropriate law enforcement and immigration agencies for implementation.
