Sandiganbayan denies prosecution’s bid seeking justice’s inhibition in Revilla malversation case

Former Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. arrives at the Sandiganbayan in Quezon City on Monday, February 9, 2026, for his scheduled arraignment. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News/File MANILA — The Sandiganbayan Third Division denied the prosecution’s motion seeking the inhibition of Associate Justice Ronald Moreno in the malversation case of former Sen. Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. over the P92.8 million alleged ghost flood control project in Pandi, Bulacan.

The bid was denied due to a lack of merit, the court said.

The prosecution previously asked Moreno to voluntarily inhibit from the malversation case due to his alleged prejudgment of prosecution witnesses and conduct that raised a “perception of partiality.”

It claimed that Moreno allegedly exhibited conduct that is “unfair, unreasonable, disrespectful, and lacking in judicial restraint” against its witnesses.

It also argued that Moreno’s open court pronouncements and clarificatory questioning show that he might have already prejudged the credibility of the witnesses and their respective testimonies.

Prosecutors cited Moreno’s questioning of prosecution witness former Engr. Henry Alcantara, wherein he was quoted saying: “Pero wala ka ngang ebidensya, wala naman siya pinakita. Hindi kaya nabukulan ka lang?”

It said that during ex-DPWH Usec. Roberto Bernardo’s testimony, Moreno made “improper, intimidating and insulting side remarks.”

In an exchange cited in the motion, Bernardo apologized after attempting to add to his answer before Moreno had finished asking his question.

“Kung mag-iinsultuhan tayo, papatulan kita,” Moreno was quoted telling Bernardo.

The prosecution also cited Moreno’s statements about Revilla’s alleged involvement in facilitating the inclusion of the project.

“So hindi niya kasalanan na binigyan siya ng 1.5 billion, tama ba yon?” Moreno was quoted as asking Bernardo.

It also flagged Moreno’s questioning of Engr. John Carlo C. Rivera, wherein the justice allegedly called him a “disgrace” and warned that he could face administrative and criminal charges.

The prosecution also questioned Moreno’s treatment of other witnesses, including SYMS Contractor Sally Santos and DPWH Finance Director Genivieve Cuaresma.

It noted that Moreno made remarks to Cuaresma such as “anong pakinabang ng testimony mo dito,” “ang gulo mong kausap eh,” and “Kawawa naman mga akusado kung manunuro ka nang hindi ka sigurado.”

It said Moreno’s statements suggesting that there was no evidence showing Revilla as the proponent of the project showed possible bias against the prosecution.

“To the mind of the prosecution, it appears that the questioning of the Honorable Justice is no longer motivated by the search for the truth but, rather, to confirm his own premature conclusion on the case, especially with respect to the involvement of Senator Revilla,” the motion read.

Moreno was one of the associate justices who granted Revilla’s bail.