Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla says the Sandiganbayan’s grant of bail to former senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. was expected, following the court’s decision to allow his temporary release while his case proceeds. Remulla said his office anticipated the outcome after evaluating the bail petition in the non-bailable malversation case filed over an alleged ghost flood control project in Pandi, Bulacan. Multiple reports cite the alleged project cost of about P92.8 million or P98 million.
After the Sandiganbayan Third Division granted Revilla’s petition on Friday, he was temporarily freed after posting bail of P1 million. Remulla also suggested that efforts may have been made to secure the bail grant, stating that someone could have “worked” to influence or obtain the favorable ruling. He framed these remarks in the context of the Office of the Ombudsman’s prior expectation of the decision.
The case stems from charges filed in January by the Office of the Ombudsman against Revilla and several officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways over alleged anomalies in the flood control project.
