The Sandiganbayan Third Division has granted the bail application of former Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. in connection with a ₱92.8-million malversation case involving an alleged ghost flood control project in Pandi, Bulacan, setting his cash bond at ₱1 million.
In a resolution issued Friday, the anti-graft court ruled that the prosecution failed to present sufficiently strong evidence to justify Revilla’s continued detention without bail.
“The Court granted the bail application of accused Ramon Bautista ‘Bong’ Revilla, Jr. for failure of the prosecution to establish that the evidence of his guilt is strong,” the Sandiganbayan said.
The court ordered Revilla’s provisional release upon posting the ₱1-million bond, provided he is not being detained for any other lawful cause.
Revilla faces charges of malversation through falsification of public documents—an offense that is non-bailable only when evidence of guilt is strong. He previously refused to enter a plea during his arraignment, leading the court to enter a default not-guilty plea on his behalf.
While Revilla secured bail, the court denied similar petitions for six co-accused in the same case, citing strong evidence against them. The six individuals—former Bulacan public works officials Brice Ericson Hernandez, Jaypee Mendoza, Arjay Domasig, Emelita Juat, Juanito Mendoza, and Christina Pineda—will remain in custody.
“The Court DENIED the respective bail applications of accused … on account of the strong evidence of their guilt,” the Sandiganbayan stated in its resolution.
Proceedings will continue against all accused regarding the contested ₱92.8-million project.