OPPOSITION coalition Tindig Pilipinas on Thursday called out Sandiganbayan third division justices Fritz Bryn Anthony Delos Santos and Ronald Moreno for granting bail to former senator Bong Revilla Jr., who is facing malversation charges.
“We question why Revilla was granted bail when many of his co-accused were not and we worry that this will open the floodgates for more decisions granting bail to those accused of plunder, whether ‘small’ or ‘big’ fish. We hope therefore that the majority of the Sandiganbayan third division reconsiders its decision,” Tindig Pilipinas co-convenor Kiko Aquino-Dee told The Manila Times on Wednesday.
In a separate statement, the group described the two justices as “twin disappointments.”
“The evidence against Revilla was strong and he is a repeat offender, despite, in our minds, a questionable acquittal on the first charge of plunder,” Tindig Pilipinas said.
They commended the lone dissenting judge, Associate Justice Karl Miranda, saying he “held up the idea that people could rely on the court.”
“Here is our question: do active citizens really have to carry the burden to make the government do its job? Do we deserve a government where we have to find the few good people in the bureaucracy to carry on with what should be the simple dispensation of justice?” the group said.
“Do we have to name and shame bad behavior and praise good work as if our officials were 4-year-olds who have not matured morally?” it added.
Sandiganbayan prosecutors have filed a motion for reconsideration on the decision.
Tindig Pilipinas members have flocked to the court to protest the ruling.
