The Sandiganbayan Third Division has dismissed the second motion of former Sen. Ramon ‘Bong’ Revilla Jr. for its chair, Associate Justice Karl Miranda-the sole judge who denied his bail petition-to inhibit himself from his malversation case.
In a resolution dated Sept. 24, the antigraft court said it denied the motion for lack of merit. The case against Revilla and six others stemmed from an alleged ‘ghost’ project in Pandi, Bulacan, worth P92.8 million.
All the accused supposedly conspired to release at least P76 million for the project that was awarded to a private contractor in March 2025, according to the Office of the Ombudsman.
Court’s arguments
Revilla had argued in his motion that Miranda was related to the counsel of state witness and former Public Works Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo.
The former senator claimed the justice relied heavily on Bernardo’s testimony and showed prejudgment before voting to deny him bail.
‘The relationship between Justice Miranda and Atty. [Buenaventura] Miranda does not suffice as clear and convincing evidence of Justice Miranda’s bias or prejudice against Revilla which would warrant his inhibition,’ the court said.
It added that ‘adverse rulings, without more, do not prove bias or partiality warranting inhibition.’
Revilla is currently out on bail after the Third Division voted 2-1 to grant him provisional liberty, with Miranda dissenting.