Graft raps vs Chavit junked

MANILA, Philippines - Citing delays in the conduct of the preliminary investigation, the Sandiganbayan yesterday dismissed a graft case filed against former Ilocos Sur governor Luis “Chavit” Singson.

The Third Division of the anti-graft court granted a motion to quash filed by Singson, who argued that the original complaint against him was filed with the Office of the Ombudsman in December 2002.

He said he was made to answer the allegations only in December 2012 and he was indicted before the Sandiganbayan in July last year.

Singson was charged for acts committed from 1998 to 2001.

The case stemmed from the alleged unlawful release of public funds amounting to more than P26 million as financial assistance to a food processing cooperative.

“The Supreme Court has ruled that the Office of the Ombudsman, particularly the special prosecutor, has the duty to act promptly on complaints filed before it,” the Sandiganbayan said in its decision.

Presiding Justice Amparo Cabotaje-Tang and Associate Justices Alex Quiroz and Samuel Martires said it is not fair to subject Singson to prolonged uncertainty with regard to his case.

They said the Constitution protects the rights of the accused to a speedy disposition of their cases before all judicial, quasi-judicial and administrative bodies.

Two months ago, the Sandiganbayan also junked a similar graft case filed against former Ilocos Sur governor Deo-gracias Victor Savellano for the same reason.