LOVE IS SWEETER the second time around. But not for former Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla, who is likely headed to the same secluded fortress far from the luxury he’s used to.
This comes as Sandiganbayan issued on Monday a warrant for the arrest of Revilla over a malversation charge over the P76.9-million flood control project in Pandi, Bulacan, “which turned out to be a ghost or non-existent project.”
The warrant, which was signed by Sandiganbayan Third Division chairperson Associate Justice Karl Miranda, states “no bail is recommended.”
Aside from Revilla, likewise ordered arrested are former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) assistant district engineer Brice Hernandez, who has been under Senate custody since September 2025.
Also named respondents were former DPWH Bulacan First District Engineering Office (DEO) Engr. Jaypee Mendoza, former DPWH Bulacan First DEO Engr. Arjay Domasig, former DPWH Bulacan First DEO Engr. Emelita Juat, former DPWH Bulacan First DEO finance section chief Juanito Mendoza and DPWH Bulacan First District Engineering Office cashier Christina Pineda.
ARCHITECT REVILLA
According to the Sandiganbayan, it was Revilla who “facilitated the inclusion” of the Pandi project in the 2025 national budget.
The anti-graft court also alleged that the former senator received through then-public works undersecretary Roberto Bernardo a significant percentage of the funds allotted for the project as “commission.”
The contractor for the Pandi project is SYMS Construction, whose owner Sally Santos admitted lending her license to engineers of the DPWH’s Bulacan 1st District Engineering Office.
Interestingly, Santos is set to testify against Revilla following the approval of her application as state witness.
PORK BARREL SCAM
Revilla is no stranger to the jail environment though. He spent four years (from 2014 60 2018) behind bars over a plunder charge related to the infamous pork barrel scam.
In 2018, he was discharged from detention after being acquitted and cleared of other related criminal charges. His acquittal however had a condition — that he should return the P124 million loot that was deposited in his bank account — which he has yet to comply with, to date.
He was subsequently reelected to the Senate in 2019 for another six-year term, but lost in the 2025 polls.