MANILA—Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla has questioned the continued granting of bail to individuals convicted of graft, saying those found guilty by the Sandiganbayan or lower courts should begin serving their sentences instead of remaining out of jail while their cases are appealed.

Remulla raised the issue during his radio program, pointing to what he described as a disparity between the number of convictions handed down by the Sandiganbayan and the number of convicted individuals actually serving time.

“Sabi ko, marami naman ang nasisintensiyahan. Maraming nasisintensiyahan ang Sandiganbayan pero halos kaunti lang ang nakakulong. Paano? Sinasabi, meron daw tayong presumption of innocence at right to bail,” Remulla said.

“Pero ‘pag ika’y na-convict na sa lower court, convicted na sa Sandiganbayan, na-convict na ng RTC dito sa graft, dapat iyan kulong ka na. Ang problema, medyo sobrang bait ng korte at hindi ginagawa ‘yung trabaho na ipakulong ‘yung dapat ipinakukulong,” he added.

The Ombudsman said he believes bail, when granted after conviction, should be substantial enough to correspond to the harm caused by the offense.

“Grant sila nang grant ng bail. Ang bababa pa ng piyansa. Dapat kasi diyan, ‘pag na-convict na ‘yung tao at talagang may petition for bail, ang bail should be set, if ever kung iga-grant mo ‘yan, at the cost of damage na ginawa ng tao.”

He also proposed that bail be paid through a cash bond instead of a bail bond.

Remulla said the Office of the Ombudsman had sought an inventory of individuals convicted by the Sandiganbayan to determine which of them had actually served time in prison.

He also raised concerns over the length of time it takes courts to resolve motions for reconsideration and appeals involving bail.

“Basta’t nagkaroon ng motion for reconsideration on a grant of bail, parang walang deadline ang judiciary… May rules sila na dapat sinusunod, hihingi sila permiso, ipapa-extend nila. Pero paano ‘yan, uupuan na lang nila forever? Umaabot ng 15 taon ‘yung kaso, nakaupo lang,” he said.

Remulla argued that prolonged proceedings could allow convicted individuals to remain out of prison for years despite having already been found guilty.

“The problem is once a motion for reconsideration is filed, a bail is granted with no deadline. Will they sit on that forever?” Remulla pointed out.

He called for stricter compliance with judicial rules and faster resolution of cases, while urging members of the judiciary to perform their duties.

“I urge members of the judiciary to do their jobs,” he said.