Sandiganbayan justices emphasize law, evidence in Bong Revilla bail decision

Justices of the Sandiganbayan Third Division on Tuesday said that they were guided by law and evidence when they granted the bail petition of former Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr.

This comes following Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla’s remark that he expected the anti-graft court to grant the petition, alleging that it seemed someone was working behind the scenes.

“We here in Sandiganbayan are guided by honor, integrity, and accountability,” Third Division Chairperson Associate Justice Karl Miranda told reporters.

He said they are not “guided by passions of the moment,” adding that the judges decide cases “only by the Constitution and evidence.”

Meanwhile, Associate Justice Ronald Moreno said he stood by the resolution.

He also welcomed any legal remedies that the Ombudsman may file.

Moreno said he has never been accused of being influenced, has never been bribed, and has never inhibited.

The justice said his decisions are based on evidence.

“I do not take offense by the Honorable Ombudsman. They have respective functions. Ikaw ba naman magsabi na malakas ang kaso and court said mahina ang kaso (You talked about having a strong case and the court says it’s weak.) It’s natural,” he said.

Associate Justice Fritz Delos Santos, for his part, said it was a natural reaction and that there is a constitutional right to expression.

“I understand where he is coming from,” he said.

The resolution was penned by Delos Santos. Though both Miranda and Moreno signed the resolution, they had separate dissenting and concurring opinions. Moreno concurred in granting the bail application while Miranda dissented.

The Ombudsman earlier filed charges of malversation through the falsification of documents and graft against Revilla, former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Bulacan Assistant District Engineer Brice Hernandez, and five others over the alleged P92.8-million ghost flood control project in Pandi, Bulacan.

Following this, Revilla surrendered to the Philippine National Police’s Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) after the Sandiganbayan Third Division issued an arrest warrant against him.

The Sandiganbayan Third Division granted his petition on Friday, July 31.

After posting a P1-million cash bond, Revilla was then released from the Quezon City Jail Male Dormitory in Payatas at 6:14 p.m. on July 31. — RSJ, GMA News