Palace Defends Ombudsman After Bong Revilla Granted Bail in Malversation Case

The Presidential Palace on Monday defended the Office of the Ombudsman's performance after former Senator Ramon "Bong" Revilla Jr. was granted bail in connection with his malversation case. Palace Press Officer Claire Castro emphasized that Revilla was the only accused granted bail, while the petitions of his six co-accused were denied. "Former Senator Bong Revilla is not the only accused here. He was merely the only one given the opportunity to post bail for temporary liberty," Castro said during a press briefing. "The petitions for bail of the others involved were not granted. Let us not forget that." Castro stated that the court's ruling should not be interpreted as an indication that the Office of the Ombudsman and state prosecutors failed to do their jobs. "We cannot say that the work of the Office of the Ombudsman and the state prosecutors was insufficient. This is not a gauge that they are not doing their jobs," she added. On July 31, the Sandiganbayan, an anti-graft court, granted Revilla's petition for bail in the malversation case involving the alleged ghost P92.8-million flood control project in Pandi, Bulacan. The court set Revilla's bail at P1 million but denied the bail petitions of his six co-accused, all former officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways. Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla, meanwhile, said his office had anticipated the possibility that the Sandiganbayan would grant Revilla's petition for bail. "We knew this... It could really happen that someone worked on this so the bail would be granted," Remulla said. The bail grant has drawn public attention to the judicial process for corruption cases in the Philippines, the independence of its judicial bodies, and the potential influence of politicians and powerful figures within the justice system.