Ombudsman Seeks Recusal of Sandiganbayan Justice in Revilla Malversation Trial

The Office of the Ombudsman has formally asked the Sandiganbayan Third Division to recuse Associate Justice Ronald Moreno from the P92.8-million malversation trial of former Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr., citing alleged judicial bias and unfair treatment of state witnesses during bail hearings, according to court documents filed on August 25, 2026.

Ombudsman prosecutors lodged a 69-page motion seeking the removal of Moreno from the active case. The filing centers on Moreno’s demeanor during proceedings involving state witnesses, which prosecutors argue demonstrates a lack of the cold neutrality required of an impartial judge.

According to the Office of the Ombudsman, Moreno questioned the credibility of state witness and former Public Works undersecretary Roberto Bernardo before Bernardo even took the witness stand. Prosecutors noted that Moreno prematurely implied Bernardo was the mastermind of the alleged scheme involving a non-existent flood control project in Pandi, Bulacan.

Controversial Remarks and Witness Credibility

The motion highlights specific remarks made by Moreno during hearings regarding another state witness, Henry Alcantara. Prosecutors took particular offense to Moreno telling Alcantara Nabukulan ka lang—implying his gains one-upped him—while questioning Alcantara’s inclusion in the Witness Protection Program.

Justice Moreno’s remarks and line of questioning regarding Engr. Alcantara’s admission to the WPP is alarming and potentially demonstrative of the Justice’s lack of ‘cold neutrality of an impartial judge’, the Ombudsman stated in the motion, as reported by GMA News.

Prosecutors further argued that Moreno unfairly questioned Alcantara about the legal basis for a 30% share claimed by a project proponent, a line of questioning they contend was designed to dismiss Alcantara’s knowledge as hearsay. They maintained that these circumstances create a reasonable perception of partiality that warrants an inhibition.

Background on the Revilla Bail Decision

Justice Moreno was one of two members of the Sandiganbayan Third Division who voted to grant Revilla bail. The division voted 2-1, allowing the former senator to post a P1 million bond for provisional liberty after ruling that the prosecution failed to present evidence linking him to the disputed Pandi, Bulacan flood control project.

Aside from Moreno, Associate Justice Fritz Bryn Delos Santos voted to grant bail. Meanwhile, Third Division chairperson Associate Justice Karl Miranda voted to deny the petition, according to reports by INQUIRER.net.

Revilla faces malversation charges for allegedly conspiring in the illegal disbursement of P76.9 million for a purported ghost flood control project of the Department of Public Works and Highways in Bulacan’s Pandi town worth P92.8 million, supposedly in exchange for a 25-percent cut. He has consistently denied all accusations against him.

Ombudsman Clarifies Intent Behind Recusal Request

While pushing for Moreno’s removal, the prosecution team clarified that the motion does not challenge the magistrate’s overall integrity, competence, or good faith. Instead, prosecutors emphasized that maintaining public confidence in the judiciary requires avoiding even the appearance of bias.

Even where actual bias is wanting, but where there are circumstances that reasonably create perception of partiality and bias, the same warrant an inhibition, the Ombudsman’s motion stated. Hence, the appearance of impartiality is essential in maintaining confidence in the administration of justice.

The Sandiganbayan Third Division has yet to issue a formal ruling on the Ombudsman’s motion for inhibition.