MANILA — Former lawmaker Bong Revilla will be temporarily detained in a Quezon City jail over his malversation charge related to a P92.8 million flood control project in Pandi, Bulacan.

During the return of his arrest warrant before the Sandiganbayan Special Third Division on Tuesday, January 20, the court stated that Revilla will stay in the male dorm of the Quezon City jail in Payatas. The arrangement is temporary until the January 23 hearing on his request to transfer to the Philippine National Police (PNP) Custodial Center in Camp Crame.

The anti-graft court cited a letter from PNP Chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez urging reconsideration of further transfers to the PNP Custodial Center, noting that these “commitments” overextend the police force’s budget and personnel.

Revilla’s co-accused include former Department of Public Works and Highways engineers Jaypee Mendoza, Brice Hernandez, and official Arjay Domasig.

Revilla also posted a P90,000 bail on his graft charge on Tuesday before his transfer to the Quezon City jail, although his malversation case is non-bailable. The former lawmaker surrendered to the police on the evening of January 19, undergoing booking and medical procedures on the same day the anti-graft court issued the arrest warrant.

Investigators allege that the flood control project linked to Revilla was non-existent.