No VIP treatment

No VIP treatment | Daily Tribune

Justice should not be blind. Everyone, regardless of social standing, must face the law equally.

The recent legal troubles faced by former Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. raise a valid question about the necessity of VIP (Very Important Person) treatment in prison placement.

Of course, the answer should always be a resounding “No!” Men without wealth and of questionable character don’t get to choose where they are imprisoned; they’re only found innocent, potentially, in the end.

That is how the justice system works. In criminal law, you need to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt before an accused can be convicted and face the consequences that come with that conviction. But then, of course, life in jail while awaiting trial would be a hellish experience in itself.

Revilla was acquitted by the Sandiganbayan of plunder in 2018 in connection with the pork barrel scam. Before that, he was held at the PNP Custodial Center in Camp Crame but was released after posting bail for his graft cases.

Just like in cinema, Revilla’s public life took a “take 2.” He returns to jail this year on graft and malversation charges — this time related to a flood control project in Bulacan — and has requested that he be held in the same detention facility in Camp Crame.

However, the order is to detain Revilla at the Quezon City Jail on Payatas Road in Bagong Silang. This alone gives us hope about equality in justice. The court’s clear directive that Revilla should not be moved or released without its explicit approval reinforces the principle that no one should receive preferential treatment.

I never liked or disliked Revilla, so I am not here to judge his new case. That is for the court to decide. However, I want to give my two cents on the court’s welcome order placing him with other inmates awaiting conviction or acquittal in a regular jail, even though his family has appealed it.

Depending on the evidence presented and the trial’s outcome, I am unsure how to react if an accused is acquitted for a second time. It’s not that I want a conviction. Instead, I find it hard to accept that someone who has been charged twice for involvement in cases involving millions of pesos of taxpayer money could get another acquittal.

The issue goes beyond Revilla. It raises significant concerns about the broader implications of allowing the wealthy and powerful to navigate the justice system differently.

When high-profile figures begin to expect preferential treatment in custody arrangements, a damaging message is sent about the nature of justice in our nation. At least he surrendered, his family insisted, as if fleeing is the expected norm.

Justice should be non-negotiable; it should not be a privilege for a few. Every accused person should face the same conditions in custody. When wealth or popularity dictates one’s treatment under the law, we descend into a society where the principles of fairness and equality are at risk.

Safety is a legitimate concern, and Revilla’s predicament or fears should encourage a comprehensive evaluation of jail conditions and the elimination of gang wars, if there are any.

Prisons should be safe for all inmates, regardless of their crimes and background.

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