Former Senator Bong Revilla Jr. voluntarily surrendered to authorities on Tuesday following advice from Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jonvic Remulla amid his alleged involvement in the flood control scam.

During a press conference, Remulla clarified that no special treatment was requested or granted to Revilla after the Sandiganbayan issued a warrant of arrest against the former senator.

According to Remulla, it was Revilla himself who called the DILG chief to arrange a voluntary surrender following the issuance of the Sandiganbayan 3rd Division’s warrant. The case involves charges of malversation of public funds through falsification of public documents.

“Tumawag siya sa akin, kahapon nang lumabas ang electronic warrant, sabi ko best na mag-surrender ka na at tinanggap naman siya sa CIDG, doon siya nagvoluntary surrender,” Remulla said.

Remulla added that he personally recommended to Revilla that he turn himself in.

“For the record, matagal kaming magkasama ni Sen. Bong sa Cavite… We’ve been lifelong friends ever since 1980s… But duty calls, there are no exceptions to the rule,” Remulla said.

He further noted, “Ako personally maghahatid sa kaniya sa Sandiganbayan. Pagdating doon, i-hand over ko na siya sa officer of the court at sila na ang bahala.”

Remulla reassured the public that no special treatment was provided to Revilla.

Following his voluntary surrender at the Philippine National Police–Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG), Revilla arrived at the Sandiganbayan at around 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, January 20, accompanied by his wife, Congresswoman Lani Mercado, and Remulla, who personally escorted him to the court.

Authorities have now taken into custody six of the seven individuals involved in the Bulacan flood control project case, including the former senator.

Revilla is accused in a malversation case over a "ghost" flood control project in Bulacan.