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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Sandigan junks graft case vs ex-Olongapo City mayor, 15 others on lease of city's civic center

Sandigan junks graft case vs ex-Olongapo City mayor, 15 others on lease of city's civic center

Published Oct 27, 2022 12:25 pm

Sandiganbayan

The Sandiganbayan has dismissed the graft charge filed against former Olongapo City mayor and current Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chairman Rolen C. Paulino and 15 others for violation of their right to speedy disposition of cases.

Paulino has been charged with violation of Section 3(e) of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act for alleged irregular lease of the Olongapo City Civic Center to SM Prime Holdings, Inc. (SMPHI) from 2014 to 2015.

Also charged were then Vice Mayor Aquilino Cortez Jr. as well as Councilors Elena Calma Dabu, Benjamin Cajudo II, Eduardo Guerrero, Noel Atienza, Alruela Bundang-Ortiz, Edna Elane, Emerito Bacay, Randy Sionzon, and Egmidio Gonzales Jr.

Also included in the charges were Tony-Kar Balde III of the City Planning and Development Office, Cristiflor Buduhan from the Office of the City Accountant, Anna Sison of the Office of the City Legal Officer, Mamerto Malabute of the Office of the City Administrator, Department Head II Joy Cahilig from the Office of the City Budget Officer -- all members of the Special Bids and Awards Committee (SBAC).

The prosecution accused them of taking advantage of their positions by fast-tracking “with undue haste” the lease and development of the civic center in violation of the provisions of the laws.

The charges against them had been dismissed in 2019. Prosecutors of the Office of the Ombudsman filed a motion for reconsideration which was denied.

The prosecution refiled last March 18 the cases against Paulino and the 15 other persons and the cases went to the Sandiganbayan’s fifth division.

In resolving the case, the Sandiganbayan said there was a “length of delay” which was two years and six months before the case was refiled.

“This Court believes that the delay incurred in the re-filing of the present Information is unjustifiable, considering the fact that the Ombudsman did not need to conduct a new preliminary investigation,” the court said.

“At the very least, the most part of the delay may be attributed to the Covid-19 pandemic because its effects were self-evident in the lockdowns and physical closures of offices. However, the said circumstance is not one of those enumerated as a consideration to justify extensions,” the court stressed.

Associate Justice Maria Theresa Dolores C. Mendoza-Arcega wrote the resolution dated Oct. 24, 2022 with the concurrence of Chairperson Rafael R. Lagos and Associate Justice Maryann E. Corpus-Mañalac.

TAGS: #Sandiganbayan #Ex-Olongapo City mayor

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