Ombudsman Jesus “Crispin” Remulla urged the judiciary to act more swiftly on cases involving individuals convicted of graft, saying some convicted defendants remain out of jail because courts continue to grant bail.

Remulla said during DZRH’s Executive Session on Saturday that the public should look at the justice system as a whole when asking why people facing criminal charges are not immediately imprisoned despite evidence against them.

Remulla said the Sandiganbayan and regional trial courts have convicted many people, but only a small number end up serving time in jail.

He noted that the presumption of innocence and the right to bail apply before conviction, but said the situation should be different once a person has been convicted of graft by a trial court.

“Kapag ikaw ay na-convict ng lower court, na-convict ka ng Sandiganbayan, na-convict ka na ng RTC dito sa graft dapat dyan kulong ka na,” Remulla said.

He criticized what he described as courts being too lenient in granting bail and setting low bail amounts.

Remulla said bail, when granted after conviction, should take into account the damage caused by the convicted person. He also suggested that courts require cash bonds rather than bail bonds in such cases.

The Ombudsman said his office is now conducting an inventory of people convicted by the Sandiganbayan to determine who is serving time, who remains free on bail and which judges granted the bail.

Remulla stressed that the Ombudsman’s responsibility is to build cases, gather evidence and present them before the courts.

“50% kami, ang kabilang side niyan ay sa korte na yan,” he said.

He also questioned the lack of deadlines for judicial action on bail motions and other post-conviction proceedings, saying some cases can remain unresolved for years.

“Paano ’yan, uupuan na lang nila forever?” Remulla said, noting that some cases have taken as long as 15 years.

Remulla called on the judiciary to perform its duties and urged the public to monitor both the Ombudsman and the courts.

He also appealed to the Supreme Court to strengthen its oversight of the judiciary and ensure that judges act within reasonable deadlines.

He warned that delays in court proceedings could result in situations where people have effectively served their sentences but remain unable to secure appropriate legal relief because their cases have not been acted upon.

“Panoorin niyo trabaho namin sa Ombudsman, panoorin niyo ang ginagawa ng judiciary,” Remulla said.