Very alarming.

This was how Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Socrates B. Villegas described the possibility that former and incumbent high-ranking government officials facing corruption charges could be allowed to post bail and obtain provisional liberty.

The statement came two days after the Sandiganbayan Third Division granted bail to former senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. in his pending malversation case over the alleged anomalous P92.8-million flood control project in Pandi, Bulacan. The resolution that granted bail, penned by Associate Justice Fritz Bryn Anthony M. Delos Santos and joined by Associate Justice Ronald B. Moreno, was opposed by Third Division Chairperson Associate Justice Karl B. Miranda.

Villegas noted that many of those charged with corruption are accused of betraying the public trust and misusing government funds that should have been used to benefit the Filipino people.

“Sobrang nakakabahala ’yung balita na pwedeng payagang mag-bail at pansamantalang makalaya ang mga dati at kasalukuyang matataas na officials sa gobyerno (The news that former and incumbent high-ranking government officials may be allowed to post bail and temporarily regain their freedom is very alarming),” he said in a statement on Sunday, August 2.

“Karamihan kasi sa kanila, kinasuhan dahil sa pag-betray sa tiwala ng publiko at sa pagka-kurakot sa pondo ng bayan—mga pondo na sana nagamit para sa bansa. Ang intindi namin, moral turpitude ang violations na ’to (Many of them are facing charges for betraying the public trust and plundering government funds—money that should have been used for the country. As we understand it, these are violations involving moral turpitude),” he added.

Villegas said the development comes at a time when Filipinos continue to bear the burden of corruption and the loss of public funds.

“Ngayong namimilipit ang buong bansa sa tindi ng perang nawawala sa atin dahil sa mga morally bankrupt na leaders, natatakot kami na itong latest development sa mga kaso nila ay nagpapatunay lang sa worst fears ng publiko: na kapag high and mighty ka, pwede kang makalusot sa mabibigat na krimen at matakasan ang accountability (At a time when the entire country is suffering because of the enormous amount of public money lost due to morally bankrupt leaders, we fear that this latest development in their cases only confirms the public’s worst fears—that if you are high and mighty, you can get away with serious crimes and escape accountability),” he said.

Villegas acknowledged that the grant of bail does not mean an accused has been acquitted, but said many people associate bail in serious cases with a finding that the evidence of guilt is not strong.

“True naman na hindi ibig sabihin na abswelto na sila kapag pinayagang mag-bail. Pero ang alam kasi natin, pwedeng mag-bail kapag ang evidence of guilt ay hindi strong o compelling (It is true that being granted bail does not mean they have been acquitted. But our understanding is that bail may be granted when the evidence of guilt is not strong or compelling),” he said.

He also questioned whether the recent developments could create the impression that the accused would eventually be acquitted.

“Kaya ang tanong namin: Signal ba ito na sa huli, hahayaan lang din silang mag-walk free ng court? Hindi naman namin hinihingi na parusahan sila nang walang sapat na evidence para ma-convict. Pero sa hirap ng panahon ngayon, hindi rin naman pwedeng takasan ng public servants ang accountability matapos nilang i-betray ang tiwala ng tao at magpayaman gamit ang power ng office nila (So our question is this: Is this a signal that, in the end, they will simply be allowed to walk free by the courts? We are not asking that they be punished without sufficient evidence to convict them. But in these difficult times, public servants should not be allowed to evade accountability after betraying the people’s trust and enriching themselves through the power of their office),” Villegas said.

The archbishop stressed that public officials must remain accountable for their actions.

“Ang pagpapanagot sa mga nasa posisyon ay demand ng justice, at lesson na rin sa publiko kung ano talaga ang puso ng public service (Holding those in positions of power accountable is a demand of justice and also a lesson to the public about what the true heart of public service should be),” he said.