Philippines – Former senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. is set to walk free after the anti-graft court Sandiganbayan granted his bail petition in a malversation case linked to an alleged ghost flood control project in Pandi, Bulacan.
According to a news report, the court’s 3rd Division confirmed the decision on Friday, July 31, 2026. The division set Revilla’s cash bond at PHP 1,000,000 and ordered his provisional release, unless he is being held on other legal grounds.
Why the Court Granted Bail
The justices ruled that prosecutors failed to present strong evidence of guilt during the bail hearings. The charge itself covers malversation through falsification of public documents, tied to a project worth P92.8 million that allegedly never got built.
Revilla arrived at the court with his wife, Cavite 2nd District Representative Lani Mercado, then returned to the New Quezon City Jail in Payatas. His lawyer, Isaiah Asuncion, told reporters that Revilla will be released once the paperwork is finished.
A Split Decision
The ruling was not unanimous. The three justices voted 2-1 to grant Revilla’s petition:
- Chair Karl Miranda – voted to deny all bail petitions
- Associate Justice Ronald Moreno – grant Revilla, deny the rest
- Associate Justice Fritz Bryn Anthony delos Santos – grant Revilla, deny the rest
Miranda dissented, arguing the prosecution had shown strong evidence. He pointed to testimonies suggesting that “commitments” were collected and delivered to Revilla’s compound in Cavite in early 2025.
Co-Accused Left Behind
While Revilla secured bail, six others were denied the same relief because the court found the evidence against them strong. Among them were former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) engineers Brice Hernandez and Jaypee Mendoza. The petition of the DPWH Bulacan 1st District office was also junked.
What Comes Next
This is only one of Revilla’s legal battles. His graft case remains pending with the Sandiganbayan’s 4th Division.
State witnesses have painted a damaging picture. A former DPWH district engineer claimed Revilla had P300 million in budget insertions in 2024 for Bulacan flood projects. A former DPWH undersecretary also alleged that Revilla received kickbacks, pegging his “commitment” at 25%.
For Filipinos overseas watching how corruption cases play out back home, the ruling adds another twist to a saga that continues to test public trust in the country’s justice system.