The Office of the Ombudsman is launching an inventory of all individuals convicted by the Sandiganbayan to verify whether they are serving their mandatory prison terms.
Speaking on his radio program on Saturday, Ombudsman Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla raised concerns over the small fraction of convicted individuals who actually end up behind bars, attributing the disparity to low bail amounts and excessive leniency by the anti-graft court.
“Ang problema, medyo sobrang bait ng korte at hindi ginagawa ‘yung trabaho na ipakulong ‘yung dapat ipinapakulong. Grant sila nang grant ng bail. Ang baba pa ng piyansa. Dapat kasi diyan ‘pag na-convict ‘yung tao at talagang nagpe-petition for bail, ang bail should be set — if ever kung iga-grant mo ‘yan — at the cost of damage na ginawa ng tao,” Remulla said.
“Kasi pinapapiyansa pa nila, na-convict na. Ganu’n madalas. Kaya ngayon, pinapa-imbentaryo natin lahat ng nasintensyahan ng Sandiganbayan para tignan natin kung nakakulong o hindi nakakulong saka sino nag-grant ng bail,” he added.
Remulla also pointed out severe delays in case resolution, noting that some litigation drags on for up to 15 years due to the lack of strict deadlines within the judicial system.
“Ang problema… basta’t nagkaroon ng motion for reconsideration o ng grant of bail, parang walang deadline ang judiciary,” he observed. “Syempre may mga rules sila na dapat sinusunod, hihingi sila ng permiso, papa-extend nila. Pero pa’no ‘yan, uupuan nila forever?”
The head of the anti-graft agency urged the Supreme Court to tighten its supervision over lower court judges and called on the public to monitor the performance of both the judiciary and his office.
Additionally, he recommended that administrative entities like the National Police Commission carry out similar audits to ensure penal sanctions are enforced.
The Ombudsman’s statements follow his previous critique of the Sandiganbayan for granting bail to former Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. over non-bailable malversation charges involving a flood control project in Bulacan.