Former senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. has been transferred to the general population of the New Quezon City Jail Male Dormitory, one week after being committed to the facility.
According to the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP), Revilla is now sharing an ordinary cell with six other persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) who are not connected to the charges involving the alleged anomalous flood control project in Bulacan.
BJMP said Revilla and four of his co-accused completed the mandatory seven-day medical quarantine required for newly admitted detainees. They are facing charges of malversation of public funds through falsification of public documents linked to the alleged P92.8-million ghost flood control project in Pandi, Bulacan.
BJMP spokesperson and Jail Superintendent Jayrex Bustinera said the five were transferred to the general population on Tuesday, in accordance with jail policy. He clarified that they were placed with low-risk, ordinary PDLs who have no involvement in the flood control cases, based on security, medical, and legal assessments.
Revilla’s co-accused, including former district assistant engineers Brice Hernandez and Jaypee Mendoza, were likewise assigned to cells with other low-risk detainees. BJMP added that Revilla and his co-accused are housed separately from seven inmates detained in connection with another flood control case in Naujan, Oriental Mindoro.
Despite the transfer, BJMP officials said heightened security measures remain in place due to the high-profile nature of the case, stressing that the tighter monitoring is not a form of special treatment but a precaution to ensure safety while the detainees are in custody.
Before his transfer, Revilla received visits from family members and close friends, including his wife Cavite 2nd District Representative Lani Mercado, their sons Jolo Revilla and Bryan Revilla, his sister Andrea Bautista-Ynares, and longtime friend Niño Muhlach.
Mercado said the family is relying on prayer for Revilla’s safety, adding that he has been eating and sleeping well. Bryan Revilla said the family continues to cope and remain strong amid the situation.
Revilla and his co-accused remain detained at the Quezon City Jail as their cases continue before the Sandiganbayan.
