MANILA, Philippines – Sinabi ng Sandiganbayan na posibleng magkaroon ng desisyon ngayong taon sa ilang kasong may kaugnayan sa flood control projects, habang isinusulong nito ang mabilis na paglilitis sa mga kasong katiwalian.
Ayon kay Sandiganbayan Presiding Justice Geraldine Faith Econg sa pagdinig ng Senate Committee on Finance sa 2027 budget ng hudikatura, nasa 26 na kaso na ang isinampa sa anti-graft court, kabilang ang mga kasong kinasasangkutan ng ilang senador at kongresista.
Sinabi ni Econg na ang unang flood control case ay isinampa ng Office of the Ombudsman noong Nobyembre 18, 2025 at nasa defense stage na.
“Of the flood control cases that were filed, the first of these cases was filed by the Office of the Ombudsman on Nov. 18, 2025. They are already on the defense side,” ani Econg.
“That means that in less than a year, we are already on the defense stage, so that was pretty fast,” dagdag niya.
May isang naunang kaso rin umanong na-archive dahil hindi matagpuan ang akusado, habang ang ibang kasong may maraming akusado ay nasa defense stage na.
Nang tanungin ni Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian kung maaari nang magkaroon ng desisyon sa naturang mga kaso, sinabi ni Econg na maaaring mangyari ito ngayong taon kung masusunod ang Speedy Trial Act.
“If we follow the Speedy Trial Act tat was enacted by the Supreme Court, we will see conviction within the year, or acquittal, within the year,” pahayag ni Econg.
“The disposition within the year, which may be a conviction or acquittal,” dagdag niya. RNT/MDS
