MANILA, Philippines — Opposition groups led by Tindig Pilipinas on Wednesday staged a protest outside the Sandiganbayan following the court’s decision to grant bail to former senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr.
The protest was named “Wag I-Budots and Hustisya, Ikulong ulit si Revilla” (Don’t ‘Budots’ Justice, Jail Revilla Again), referencing the former senator’s campaign “budots” dance craze.
In a statement, the coalition said the decision “sends a dangerous message that powerful and influential individuals continue to receive preferential treatment in the country’s justice system while ordinary Filipinos face the full force of the law.”
Tindig Pilipinas co-convenor Kiko Aquino-Dee noted the double standard in the country’s justice system.
“Why is the law stricter on small fish than on Bong Revilla? The people are calling for all corrupt individuals to be jailed, whether they are small fish, congressmen, or senators,” he stated.
In a Messenger chat to The Manila Times, he hoped the Sandiganbayan Third Division would reconsider its decision.
“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,” Aquino-Dee said.
The coalition urged the Sandiganbayan and the country's justice institutions to “uphold fairness, strengthen public trust in the rule of law, and ensure that justice is not reserved only for those without power.”
“Justice cannot be selective. Accountability should not depend on one’s wealth, political influence, or public office. At a time when millions of Filipinos continue to bear the burden of corruption, decisions that appear to favor powerful officials only deepen public distrust in our institutions,” the opposition coalition said.
“Tindig Pilipinas and its partner organizations vowed to continue mobilizing citizens in defense of accountability, transparency, and equal justice, emphasizing that the Filipino people's demand remains clear: no special treatment for the powerful and no impunity for corruption,” they added.
They were joined by the Mamamayang Liberal party-list, along with other organizations such as the August Twenty One Movement, EveryWoman, Pinasama, and Alyansa ng Samahang Pantao.
