Revilla Still Owes P124.5M in Civil Liabilities, Ombudsman Says

MANILA, Philippines — Former Sen. Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. has posted P1 million for bail in his ongoing malversation case, but still owes over P124 million in civil liabilities from plunder and graft cases filed more than a decade ago, Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla said on Saturday. After he posted bail, Revilla walked out of the detention facility. However, Remulla emphasized that the civil liabilities he owes have not yet been settled. Revilla was arrested in 2014 on charges of plunder and graft in connection with the alleged misuse of senators' pork barrel funds, a scandal that involved the diversion of public money and the receipt of kickbacks. Under the Philippine justice system, civil liabilities can be pursued separately from criminal charges. The civil claims aim to recover funds that were allegedly misappropriated. The case highlights the persistent issue of corruption among public officials in the Philippines and the challenges in recovering public funds through the judicial process.