The Sandiganbayan has junked former Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr.’s motion seeking the inhibition of Third Division Chairperson Associate Justice Karl Miranda in a pending flood control case, ruling that the plea had no factual or legal basis.
In its resolution issued Tuesday, the anti-graft court said Revilla failed to prove any conflict of interest or partiality on the part of Justice Miranda.
The former senator’s camp earlier claimed a possible conflict, citing Miranda’s brother, lawyer Buenaventura Miranda, who previously served as counsel to former Public Works Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo during Senate hearings.
The court rejected the argument, stressing that Bernardo is merely a witness and not a party to the case, and that the legal assistance cited took place in a different forum and period. It also noted that none of the grounds for mandatory inhibition under the rules were present.
“Associate Justice Miranda’s voluntary inhibition in this case is therefore unwarranted as Revilla failed to present any extrinsic evidence to establish the former’s bias, bad faith, malice, or corrupt purpose. Revilla’s bare allegations of partiality and prejudgment will not suffice.”
Justice Miranda also disclosed his associations and underscored that the case was assigned through a raffle, reaffirming his commitment to judicial ethics throughout his four decades in the judiciary.
The Third Division is hearing Revilla’s malversation case involving an alleged ₱92.8-million ghost flood control project in Pandi, Bulacan.