Graft raps vs Ifugao lawmaker junked

MANILA, Philippines — The Sandiganbayan has junked a graft case filed against Ifugao Rep. Teodoro Baguilat Jr. due to the “inordinate delay” of the Office of the Ombudsman in investigating the case.

In a resolution promulgated on April 19, the anti-graft court’s Fifth Division found merit In Baguilat’s motion to dismiss the charges, citing violation of his rights to a speedy resolution of the case.

Filed by the ombudsman on Feb. 9 this year, the charges against Baguilat stemmed from the provincial government’s allegedly anomalous procurement of a vehicle when he was governor.

The ombudsman said no public bidding was conducted for the project.

It said the deed of sale for the project was prepared ahead of the purchase request, canvass report and purchase order, which allegedly made the transaction anomalous.

Records showed that on May 19, 2004, the ombudsman received an anonymous letter detailing the alleged anomaly in the project of the provincial government.

Citing the alleged anomaly, the provincial board filed a complaint against Baguilat before the ombudsman in 2009.

The ombudsman issued a resolution in April last year, finding probable cause to charge Baguilat with violation of Republic Act 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.

The Sandiganbayan said the ombudsman failed to justify why it took them more than 10 years to resolve the complaint.