Bong Revilla stays in New Quezon City Jail —Sandiganbayan

MANILA, Philippines — The Sandiganbayan Third Division has denied motions filed by former Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr., including his request to transfer from the New Quezon City Jail to the Philippine National Police (PNP) Custodial Center in Camp Crame.

Revilla surrendered to authorities and was held at the New Quezon City Jail on charges of malversation of public funds through falsification of public documents.

READ: Sandiganbayan orders Bong Revilla jailed at Quezon City Jail in Payatas

In his motion, Revilla claimed that confinement in the regular jail facility would expose him to a “significantly elevated risk of physical harm, harassment, or assassination.”

In a 30-page resolution dated February 5, the Sandiganbayan said it found no merit in Revilla’s claims, noting that the justices personally inspected the jail facilities and were satisfied that the security measures were “sufficient for the safekeeping of Revilla and the other accused.”

The court also noted that the Quezon City Jail Male Dormitory along Payatas Road and the Female Dormitory at Camp Tomas B. Karingal in Sikatuna Village were specifically designated for individuals implicated in the flood control scandal, with facilities prepared to accommodate the expected influx of other accused.

It added that both facilities have negative congestion rates and are the closest detention centers to the Sandiganbayan.

“From the foregoing, there is no basis for the Revilla’s claims of harm, harassment, and threat to his person that would warrant a transfer of his custody to any PNP custodial facility,” the resolution reads.

Other denied motions

The Sandiganbayan also denied Revilla’s motion to quash the malversation charges against him and his co-accused.

READ: Revilla motion to quash basis for deferred arraignment — Sandiganbayan

In his motion, Revilla argued that he cannot be held liable for malversation because he is not an accountable officer and had no custody or control of public funds.

The court denied the motion for lack of merit, stating that whether Revilla is an accountable officer is immaterial at this stage.

“Clearly, the factual allegations stated in the Information sufficiently constitute the elements of the offense charged against the accused,” the resolution reads

“Whether the accused are indeed accountable officers is a matter that must be established during trial. At this stage, the court needs only to determine whether the facts alleged in the Information, if hypothetically admitted as true, would constitute the elements of the offense charged therein,” it adds.

The court also denied Revilla’s motion to remand the case to the Office of the Ombudsman for a reinvestigation, as Revilla “failed to show any compelling reason that would justify a reinvestigation of the instant case.”

“As discussed, any remand to the Ombudsman, either for reconsideration or reinvestigation, will prejudice the accused and would serve no purpose other than to unduly delay the proceedings,” the resolution reads. /mcm