Sandiganbayan denies Revilla’s bid to be detained in Camp Crame

The Sandiganbayan Third Division on Thursday denied the bid of ex-Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. to be detained at the Philippine National Police (PNP) Custodial Center in Camp Crame due to lack of basis.

The anti-graft court is hearing the malversation case against him over the alleged P92.8 million ghost flood control project in Bulacan.

In a 30-page resolution dated February 5, the Sandiganbayan said the Quezon City Jail Male Dormitory on Payatas Road and the Female Dormitory at Camp Tomas B. Karingal in Barangay Sikatuna Village in Quezon City are the designated jail facilities for persons implicated in the flood control scandal.

As such, both detention facilities are “well prepared” for the anticipated influx of suspects facing cases related to the flood control mess.

The Sandiganbayan added that both facilities have a negative congestion rate and can accommodate Revilla while he is undergoing trial.

It noted that both are the nearest facilities of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) to the Sandiganbayan.

“The court visited the jail facilities where the accused are being detained on January 23, 2026. As to the Male Dormitory, the court is convinced that the jail’s security measures are sufficient for the safekeeping of Revilla and the other accused,” the Sandiganbayan said. 

“From the foregoing, there is no basis for the Revilla’s claims of harm, harassment, and threat to his person that would warrant a transfer of his custody to any PNP custodial facility. After due consideration, the court denies the motions to transfer the commitments of Revilla and [former DPWH Bulacan First District Engineering Office Engr Emelita] Juat to a PNP custodial facility,” it added. 

Juat is one of the Revilla’s six-co-accused in the malversation case over the alleged ghost Pandi, Bulacan project. 

In response to the court’s ruling, Revilla’s lead counsel Ramon Esguerra said they are still pondering on what legal remedies to pursue. 

“The Defense team [would have] to still meet on the next remedies to be availed of,” Esguerra said in a statement. — JMA, GMA Integrated News