President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. was caught off guard but remained firm after former Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. was linked to the flood control corruption scandal, Malacañang said Tuesday, stressing that political alliances do not shield anyone from accountability.
Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said the President immediately reacted when Revilla’s name was mentioned, noting his ties as a political ally and member of the administration’s 2025 coalition.
“Una pa lang pong nabanggit ang pangalang Senator Bong Revilla doon pa lang po nag-react na po ang Pangulo. Siyempre nagulat po siya dahil kaalyado nga niya po, pero sabi nga niya po makailang ulit sabihin niya kahit nga po kaalyado kung kailangang imbestigahan dapat imbestigahan,” Castro said.
The Sandiganbayan Third Division issued an arrest warrant and hold departure order against Revilla and several others over an alleged ₱92.8 million ghost flood control project in Pandi, Bulacan. Revilla surrendered late Monday.
The case is particularly sensitive for the Palace, as Revilla ran under Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas, the coalition backed by Marcos in the 2025 senatorial elections.
Before surrendering, Revilla criticized what he described as a “lack of due process,” a claim the Palace rejected.
“So, kung ganiyan po iyong paniniwala niya kailangan din naman po niya itong idepensa or panindigan at magbigay siya ng mga ebidensiya patungkol dito,” Castro said.
Malacañang emphasized that the investigation must proceed, regardless of political ties, with the courts left to determine accountability.