Bong Revilla posts bail in P93-M flood control case

MANILA, Philippines — Former Sen. Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. was released after posting P1 million bail on Friday in connection with one of the criminal cases stemming from the alleged public works corruption scandal.

Shortly after the Sandiganbayan’s Third Division approved his bail, Revilla wrote on Facebook, “Thank you, Lord.” He has been facing trial since January on a malversation of public funds charge.

The Office of the Ombudsman on Jan. 16 filed malversation and graft charges against Revilla and several Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) officials in connection with an alleged anomalous infrastructure project in Pandi, Bulacan.

The flood control project worth P92.8 million turned out to be nonexistent despite being reported on paper as completed, according to the charges.

Also accused in the case are former DPWH Bulacan district engineers Brice Hernandez, Jaypee Mendoza, Arjay Domasig, Emelita Juat, and DPWH personnel Juanito Mendoza and Christina Pineda.

Other bail pleas denied

In a message to reporters on Friday, lawyer Dennis Pulma, the division’s clerk of court, said the court granted Revilla’s bail application “but denied (those filed by) the other accused.”

According to the Ombudsman, Revilla and the DPWH officials and personnel conspired to release at least P76 million as payment for the project that was awarded to a private contractor in March 2025, when Revilla was still a senator.

Revilla, who surrendered to authorities on Jan. 19, had repeatedly denied any involvement in the scheme.

On Jan. 20, Revilla posted P90,000 bail before the Sandiganbayan Fourth Division for the graft case. In February, the former senator filed a petition for bail in connection with his malversation case.

Malversation can be a discretionary bail offense if the penalty involved is reclusion perpetua (imprisonment of 20 years and one day to 40 years). In such cases, the accused may be granted bail only if, after a hearing, the prosecution fails to prove that the evidence of guilt is strong.

‘Thankful and elated’

Capt. Jayrex Bustinera, spokesperson for the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology spokesperson, said Revilla was released from the Quezon City Jail at 6:14 p.m. on Friday.

Revilla’s defense lawyer, Reody Anthony Balisi, said the former senator stepped out of detention “thankful and elated”.

“He will be spending time with his family whom he has been apart from for the last six months,” Balisi said in a statement.

He said the court’s resolution granting bail “affirms the truth that the evidence of guilt is not strong.”

Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano said the Office of the Ombudsman respects the Sandiganbayan’s order.

“We will exhaust all remedies to highlight the basis for which we can say that the evidence of guilt is indeed strong against former Senator Ramon ‘Bong’ Revilla,” Clavano said.

The trial proper for Revilla’s graft case began on April 7, while that for the malversation case started on May 5. —WITH A REPORT FROM INQUIRER RESEARCH

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