Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla revealed that his office has received reports indicating that the government lost nearly P600 billion worth of cases filed before the anti-graft body due to ‘inordinate delay,’ describing the figure as ‘very alarming.’
In a press briefing on Tuesday, Remulla said he is reviewing the reports to verify their accuracy.
‘I got word that the government lost close to P600 billion in cases because of inordinate delay. And I’m reviewing that. I will see if that is true. We will quantify the losses of the government due to case dismissals because of inordinate delay in the prosecution of cases,’ he said in Filipino.
He added: ‘We have to review it, of course. But it’s very alarming, and I would say that it may be true – the losses of government due to nonfeasance. Kasi hindi natin ginagawa yung duty natin; we don’t go all out. Dapat tumigil na ‘yan.’
Earlier, Remulla said the Sandiganbayan is drafting new rules and procedures to help expedite the resolution and filing of cases amid ongoing investigations into controversial flood control projects.
The Office of the Ombudsman has received six cases related to flood control projects in Bulacan and Oriental Mindoro. Remulla said the preliminary investigation into these cases will begin next week, with the filing of charges before the anti-graft court expected by next month.
He added that the preliminary investigation will be completed within 60 days, compared to the usual duration of up to a year. /jpv