Palace: Marcos surprised by Revilla allegations; allies not exempt

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January 20, 2026 | 5:01pm

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. was surprised that former senator Bong Revilla, the man he endorsed for a senatorial race in 2025, was arrested in relation to the flood control corruption scam.  

But the Palace maintained that even allies must be held accountable. 

Revilla was part of Marcos’ presidential slate in the 2025 midterms, despite the fact that Revilla was heavily implicated in the Priority Development Assistance Fund scam. 

The former senator again found himself in police quarters when he was arrested on Monday night over new corruption charges. 

Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said that this was a clear example of how the administration will not be selective in doling out justice in its anti-corruption crusade. 

“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 in a press briefing. 

(Even when former senator Bong Revilla’s name was first mentioned, the president already reacted. Of course, he was surprised because he was his ally, but he has said this over and over again, even for allies, those who must be investigated will be investigated.) 

As he was being booked for his most recent corruption charges, Revilla had remarked that due process was no longer being followed. 

To which Castro replied that it was normal for him to have such sentiments. 

“That will be the opinion and feelings of someone who is facing a case and that could also serve as his defense to show the people that he has nothing to do with it, so it’s just normal for an accused,” Castro said in Filipino.