Metro Manila, Philippines – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will not interfere in the corruption case of former Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. who is out on bail, Malacañang said Monday, Aug. 3, rejecting claims that the Sandiganbayan ruling reflected selective justice.
Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said the grant of bail should not be interpreted as evidence that Revilla received favorable treatment because he is an ally of the president.
“Ang pagdedesisyon po iyan, hindi po hawak ng pangulo ang judiciary, alam natin na may separation of powers.”
[Translation: Those decisions are not under the president’s authority because we recognize the separation of powers.]
Castro said the argument that Revilla benefited from political favoritism was illogical.
“Kung iyan talaga ay may katotohanan at sasabihin natin may kamay ang pangulo dito, hindi ba dapat hindi na lang siya sinampahan ng kaso, pero siya iyong naunang sinampahan ng kaso. So walang logic, it doesn’t follow na siya ang unang pakakawalan dahil kaalyado. Eh di dapat hindi na lang sinampahan ng kaso,” she said.
[Translation: If that were true and we were to say the President had a hand in it, shouldn’t he have simply prevented the filing of the case? Instead, Revilla was among the first to be charged. So it is not logical to say he was granted temporary liberty because he is an ally. If that were the case, he should never have been charged in the first place.]
The Palace also defended the work of the Office of the Ombudsman after some groups argued that the bail ruling weakened the anti-corruption campaign.
Castro said Revilla was only granted temporary liberty and remains on trial.
“Hindi lamang po si dating Senador Bong Revilla ang akusado rito. Siya lamang po ang nabigyan ng pagkakataon na makapag-post ng bail for temporary liberty. Iyong iba po na sangkot ay hindi po na-grant ang petition for bail; huwag nating kalimutan iyan,” the official said.
[Translation: Former Senator Bong Revilla is not the only accused in this case. He was only given the opportunity to post bail for temporary liberty. The other accused were not granted bail, and we should not forget that.]
She said the grant of bail does not mean prosecutors failed to build a strong case.
Castro said the administration continues to support a whole-of-government approach while respecting the independence of the judiciary and the Ombudsman.
“Kung nagtatrabaho po ang ombudsman, nagtatrabaho ang ehekutibo na panagutin ang dapat na managot, obligasyon din po ng judiciary na maayos ang kanilang pagresolba sa kaso,” she said.
[Translation: If the ombudsman is doing its job and the executive is working to hold those responsible accountable, then it is also the Judiciary’s duty to properly resolve the case.]
Revilla was granted bail by the Sandiganbayan on Friday, July 31, on his malversation and graft charges in relation to the flood control scam.
