Kampo ni Revilla, inalmahan at nabahala sa sinabi ni Ombudsman Remulla na trinabaho... | 24 Oras

Background: Sandiganbayan Bail Decision vs. Ombudsman Remarks

Former Senator Bong Revilla’s camp rejected claims made by Ombudsman Crispin Remulla after the Sandiganbayan approved Revilla’s bail in the alleged malversation of public funds case.

Revilla’s camp argued that:

• The Sandiganbayan magistrates who ruled on the bail are not the individuals being implicated.
• Revilla’s lawyer remains concerned that Remulla’s remarks could affect the court’s independence and integrity.

Responses from Sandiganbayan Officials

The report notes that several Sandiganbayan officials responded to Remulla’s comment:

• Associate Justice Ronald Moreno said he was not offended and insisted he has never been accused of being influenced by money or pressure in decisions.
• Associate Justice Fritz de los Santos, who voted to grant bail and authored the resolution, said judging cases is not about popularity, adding that public reactions are part of the job.
• Sandiganbayan Chairperson Carl Miranda opposed granting bail, stressing the court’s guiding principles of honor, integrity, and accountability. He also indicated that the same evidence was interpreted from different angles.

Resumed Hearing: Testimony of Roberto Bernardo

During the resumed hearing, the prosecution presented former DPW Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo as a witness.

Bernardo testified that Revilla allegedly approached him to request a 25% kickback, including claims that:

• Revilla first delivered approximately PHP 90 million in the first quarter of 2024.
• Revilla requested project-related budget allocations of about PHP 2 billion from former DPW Secretary Manny Buenan. Bernardo said these were sourced from the 2024 and 2025 national budgets, allegedly during Senate meetings while budget deliberations were ongoing.

Bernardo further said Revilla, as a legislator proponent, expected a commitment/kickback, and that such allocations are common among legislators—though he specifically cited Senator Ping Lacson as an exception.

Other Alleged Recipients Mentioned

When asked who else Bernardo served, he named former Senator Nancy Binay, Senator Chiz Escudero, and former Senator Jinggoy Estrada.

The report adds that:

• Their teams were being asked for statements.
• They had previously denied receiving commissions from the projects.

Closing Note

The segment ends by stating that “Baki Pulido” (likely Mark Pulido/Revilla’s camp counsel) remains focused “24 hours a day.”

Presenters/Contributors

• Ombudsman Crispin Remulla
• Former Senator Bong Revilla (and Revilla’s lawyer)
• Associate Justice Ronald Moreno
• Associate Justice Fritz de los Santos
• Associate Justice Chairperson Carl Miranda
• Former DPW Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo
• Former DPW Secretary Manny Buenan
• Senators Ping Lacson, Nancy Binay, Chiz Escudero, and Jinggoy Estrada
• “Baki Pulido” (name as shown in subtitles)