Palace: Marcos Saddened By Issuance Of Arrest Warrant Versus Revilla, But…

President Marcos was saddened by the issuance of an arrest warrant against his ally, former senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr., but maintained that due process should prevail in his case, which stemmed from an alleged ghost flood control project in Bulacan.

Revilla, one of the senatorial bets of the administration coalition during last year's midterm polls, turned himself over to the police last Monday, Jan. 19, after the Sandiganbayan Third Division had issued an arrest warrant against him for alleged malversation of public funds.

The former senator has been linked to an alleged non-existent flood control project in Pandi, Bulacan worth P92.8-million. Six former public works officials were also covered by the arrest warrant.

“I asked the President a while ago during our meeting. I asked him how he felt. He said he was sad because he (Revilla) was with him at the Alyansa (para sa Bagong Pilipinas) and (former senator) Revilla is his friend,” Presidential Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro told reporters on Tuesday, Jan. 20, in an interview at Malacañang.

“Despite that, the process will prevail. We have to go through this because there is a process. Still, he said he was saddened by the development,” she added.

During a press briefing held hours before the interview, Castro maintained that due process is being followed in the legal proceedings on the multi-billion peso flood control mess.

She was asked to react to Revilla’s claim that there was no due process when the anti-graft court ordered his arrest.

“The President wants due process to be followed. Perhaps the filing of some cases took time because of the need to respect due process,” the Palace press officer said.

“If that is his (Revilla) view, he needs to present evidence,” she added.

Castro said the former senator's statement reflected the usual opinion and feelings of people accused of crimes.

“That will be his defense to show the people that he is not involved (in the crime), so it’s just normal for an accused,” she said.

Revilla launched an unsuccessful reelection bid during the 2025 midterm polls, ranking 14th with 11.9 million votes.