MANILA, Philippines — A support group for political prisoners on Sunday accused the Philippine justice system of applying a “double standard” after former Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. was granted bail while elderly and seriously ill political prisoners, including 77-year-old Vicente “Vic” Ladlad, remain behind bars after years of detention without conviction.
The group KAPATID issued the statement after the Sandiganbayan Third Division granted Revilla provisional liberty on July 31 upon posting a ₱1-million cash bond, just six months after he was detained over a non-bailable malversation case involving an alleged ₱92.8-million ghost flood control project in Bulacan.
It pointed out that the 2-1 ruling came despite a strongly worded dissent by Associate Justice Karl Miranda, who said the evidence indicated that Revilla was an “indispensable member of the alleged conspiracy” and questioned why he should be released while his lower-ranking co-accused remained in detention.
The group contrasted Revilla’s release with the plight of Ladlad, who has spent nearly eight years in pretrial detention after his arrest in November 2018 on illegal firearms and explosives charges that he has consistently claimed were fabricated.
Ladlad, a jailed activist and peace consultant of the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP), remains detained despite not having been convicted. The group said he had previously been acquitted in earlier cases dating back to the martial law period, which it described as politically motivated.
His wife and Kapatid spokesperson Fides Lim has filed a petition for a writ of habeas corpus before the Supreme Court, arguing that Ladlad’s prolonged detention violates his constitutional right to a speedy trial. The petition was prepared by lawyers from the Free Legal Assistance Group (FLAG) and Leflegis Legal Services.
“This decision exposes the sharpest irony of Philippine justice: swift, compassionate discretion for the powerful but rigid severity and endless delays for political prisoners and poor PDLs,” Lim said.
Kapatid said Ladlad’s health has severely deteriorated during his detention. Now 77, he suffers from life-threatening asthma-COPD overlap syndrome, in addition to illnesses including COVID-19, pneumonia, and tuberculosis contracted while in detention.
The group also highlighted the cases of Virginia Villamor, 75, and Alberto Villamor, 72, who were arrested alongside Ladlad after allegedly providing him temporary shelter. Although neither was named in the search warrant, both remain detained on the same charges, which they deny.
According to Kapatid, Virginia can no longer walk without assistance because of her deteriorating health, while Alberto continues to battle chronic illnesses, including diabetes.
