SC forms special courts to speed up corruption trials

MANILA, Philippines —  The Supreme Court (SC) will designate special courts within the regional trial courts (RTCs) that will exclusively handle corruption cases stemming from anomalous flood control and other infrastructure projects.

Through Resolution 25-10-24, the SC directed the Office of the Court Administrator to monitor the filing with the RTCs of cases involving corruption in infrastructure projects.

“Once such cases are filed, the SC will designate special courts to exclusively hear and decide corruption-related cases arising from infrastructure projects,” the SC said.

The initiative is part of the high court’s Strategic Plan for Judicial Innovations (SPJI), which aims to enhance efficiency, transparency and accountability across all court levels including the trial courts, the Court of Appeals, Sandiganbayan and Court of Tax Appeals.

Through what it called reform agenda, the SC hopes to address long-standing problems of delay and case backlog by institutionalizing efficient processes, adopting innovative solutions and expanding access to justice.

As the SC braces for a deluge of corruption-related cases, the Department of Justice (DOJ) said it is set to issue subpoenas to several officials and engineers of the Bulacan First District Engineering Office of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), as part of its preliminary investigation.

Expected to be subpoenaed, according to Prosecutor General Richard Fadullon, are former Bulacan 1st District engineer Henry Alcantara, assistant district engineers Brice Hernandez and Jaypee Mendoza, among other personalities.

“Subpoenas would be forthcoming. We are hoping to have them sent out within the week but the latest would be by next week,” Fadullon said.

None of those being readied for preliminary investigation are incumbent or former lawmakers, he said.

The charges include malversation, falsification of public documents, perjury and violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.

Fadullon also revealed that more DPWH officials have expressed willingness to cooperate and turn state witnesses in the probe on the flood control mess.

He declined to divulge their identities and other details but said they are “still government officials.”

Cases filed by November 25; Remulla eyes livestream

At a briefing yesterday, Om budsman Jesus Crispin Remulla said the first batch of cases related to the flood control scam – involv ing 14 to 15 public officials – would be filed with the Sandiganbayan not later than Nov. 25.

He said his office is studying the possibility of livestreaming pre liminary investigation proceedings.

Meanwhile, House Deputy Mi nority leader and ML party-list Rep. Leila de Lima has filed a measure seeking to give the Office of the Ombudsman access to bank records of people it is investigating, without the need for a court order.–  Elizabeth Marcelo, Jose Rodel Clapano