Sandigan rejects Revilla’s inhibition bid vs justice

The Sandiganbayan Third Division has denied the renewed bid of former Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla to have its chairperson, Associate Justice Karl Miranda, inhibit himself from his ongoing malversation case.

In a recent resolution, the court found the motion “without merit” and ordered Miranda to “proceed with his duty to sit and hear the subject case.” It was the second time Revilla’s camp sought Miranda’s inhibition over alleged bias and partiality.

“The court reiterated that there is no ground for mandatory inhibition of Justice Miranda,” the resolution read. It said Revilla failed to show any arbitrary act or conduct warranting Miranda’s recusal.

Miranda was the lone justice who earlier denied Revilla’s petition for bail. Revilla was nevertheless granted provisional liberty after the other two justices voted in favor of bail, with the former senator posting P1 million on 31 July.

In his second motion for inhibition, Revilla’s camp alleged that Miranda had “already prejudged the case,” citing his concurring and dissenting opinion.

The court rejected the argument, saying a justice’s dissent from a ruling merely reflects a “difference in judicial interpretation and evidentiary evaluation.”

It said opinions based on evidence presented in court do not indicate bias.

“In other words, adverse rulings, without more, do not prove bias or partiality warranting inhibition,” the resolution said.

The Third Division said the denial of the motion upheld the presumption that Miranda could perform his judicial duties “without fear or favor.”

It also said that absent Miranda’s voluntary inhibition, his right to perform his duties in the interest of “justice, equity and public interest” must be respected.