Malacañang emphasized on Monday that the Sandiganbayan’s approval of former Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr.’s bail petition should not be viewed as a measure of the Office of the Ombudsman’s performance or that of state prosecutors.
Communications Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro defended government lawyers after several civil society groups voiced frustration over the decision.
Critics argued that the outcome highlighted the Ombudsman’s inability to convince the court and the public of the strength of its anti-corruption cases. In response, Castro stressed that a single ruling does not serve as a gauge for the agency’s overall effectiveness.
Castro highlighted that among the multiple co-accused in the malversation case, only Revilla was permitted to post bail.
”So, hindi po natin masasabi na hindi sapat ang naging trabaho ng Office of the Ombudsman at ng mga state prosecutors,” she said, noting that critics were not present during the bail proceedings to fairly evaluate the prosecution’s work.
She urged the public to trust state prosecutors, reiterating that the Office of the Ombudsman remains confident in the strength of its evidence.
The Palace also addressed allegations of selective justice and political favoritism, responding to claims that Revilla received favorable treatment due to his ties with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
Although Revilla was part of the administration’s Alyansa para sa Bagong Pilipinas senatorial slate during the 2025 elections, he failed to secure a seat.
”So walang logic, it doesn’t follow na siya ang unang pakakawalan dahil kaalyado. Eh di dapat hindi na lang sinampahan ng kaso, ‘di ba,” Castro remarked.
Revilla secured temporary liberty after posting a ₱1-million cash bond. Meanwhile, other high-profile officials, including Senator Jinggoy Estrada, remain detained as their corruption trials proceed.