The voluntary surrender of former senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. following the issuance of an arrest warrant should be appreciated by the public, describing the move as a positive gesture of respect for the rule of law, Malacañang said on Tuesday.
In an interview on Dos Por Dos, Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Atty. Claire Castro said Revilla’s decision to personally submit himself to authorities and place himself under the custody of the Philippine National Police (PNP) demonstrated accountability, especially amid allegations linking him to the multibillion-peso flood control scam.
Castro said she found Revilla’s surrender emotional but commendable, noting that unlike others who evade arrest or stay abroad, the former lawmaker chose to face the charges head-on.
“Maganda yun. Ibig sabihin, ano man mangyari, handa siyang ipagtanggol ang kanyang sarili. At magandang epekto na may voluntary surrender. Sana yun, ma-appreciate din ang tao ang ginawa ni Sen. Bong Revilla. Dahil na hindi ginagawa ng iba ngayon. Yung iba nagtatago,” Castro said.
She added that Revilla’s voluntary surrender could be considered a mitigating circumstance if the case eventually results in a conviction, stressing, however, that the former senator still has the right to defend himself in court.
Asked whether Revilla could be considered one of the “big fish” in the flood control controversy, Castro replied in the affirmative, citing his stature as a former senator and public figure.
“Mm-mm. Pwede. Opo. Senador po sya eh,” she said.
Castro further declined to speculate on who might be next to face arrest, saying decisions rest with the Office of the Ombudsman and the Department of Justice (DOJ).
“Ayoko sabihin. Wala akong alam sa anong gagawin ng ombudsman tsaka ng DOJ. Tingnan na lang natin.”
She also addressed criticism that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s earlier statement that some individuals would not have a “Merry Christmas” due to the crackdown on corruption lacked substance.
Castro said the President never named specific individuals but emphasized accountability for those involved in anomalous projects.
“Wala siyang binanggit na sino man na politiko. Basta ang pangako ng Pangulo noong Pasko, bago mag-pasko, maraming hindi magiging merry ang Pasko. At totoo naman naging maraming hindi merry ang Christmas.”
According to Castro, significant developments have already taken place, including the issuance of multiple arrest warrants, asset freeze orders by the Court of Appeals, tax cases filed by the Bureau of Internal Revenue, and the auction of seized properties by the Bureau of Customs.
She urged critics, particularly lawmakers and lawyers, to understand that corruption cases involve lengthy legal processes and cannot be rushed merely for public optics.
“Hindi ganoon kablis na para bang mamadaliin mo just for the sake of optics na kailangan may mga pakulong, kailangan na may sampahan. Inaaral ito kasi once on the part of the DPWH and ICI, ang dami nilang inirekomenda. Kung di ako nagkakamali, 67 [cases],” Castro said, adding that the government is following due process in pursuing those implicated in the flood control scam.
Castro maintained that the administration remains committed to holding accountable all those involved, regardless of status, and called on the public to allow institutions to complete their work under the rule of law.
