Sandigan justice reveals ties with Revilla lawyerFormer Sen. Bong Revilla surrenders to the Philippine National Police at Camp Crame in Quezon City on Monday evening, Jan. 19, 2026. MANILA, Philippines — Associate Justice Karl Miranda, chairman of the Sandiganbayan Third Division handling the non-bailable malversation case against former senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr., has disclosed his close ties with one of the latter’s lawyers, Ramon Esguerra. “Honorable, former undersecretary of the DOJ (Department of Justice), Ramon Esguerra, counsel for accused Bong Revilla, is a close and respected friend of mine,” Miranda said during the scheduled arraignment of Revilla and his six co-accused on Friday. “We were friends since way back when he was the newest undersecretary of the Department of Justice and I was assistant solicitor general of the Office of the Solicitor General. After undergoing the mandatory seven-day quarantine, Revilla and his co-accused are set to join other inmates in general population at the New Quezon City Jail in Barangay Payatas.

Source: Philippine Star January 25, 2026 04:27 UTC