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The case dragged on, 38 years because the unique grievance and 23 since one other Sandiganbayan division admitted a 3rd amended grievance. Trial had not even begun.
MANILA, Philippines – The sixth division of the anti-graft court docket Sandiganbayan has dismissed a virtually 40-year-old ill-gotten wealth case in opposition to former Occidental Mindoro governor and congresswoman Josephine Ramirez-Sato.
The court docket voted 4-1 to dismiss the 38-year-old case in opposition to Sato, citing delays that violated her proper to a speedy decision. The case stemmed from her involvement in Philippine Journal Included, that was eliminated in 2007 from the alleged ill-gotten wealth of former ambassador Benjamin “Kokoy” Romualdez and his spouse.
“The continuation of this case is an aggravation of the undue prejudice that defendant Ramirez-Sato has endured,” the court docket mentioned.
“This case has dragged on for over thirty eight (38) years because the submitting of the unique Grievance, and for over twenty-three (23) years from the promulgation of the Fifth Division’s Decision admitting the Third Amended Grievance. Fact to inform, trial has not even begun,” it added.
The ruling cited Sato’s Movement to Dismiss in Could, noting the unique grievance was filed on July 31, 1987.
Sato mentioned she filed a Movement for Invoice of Particulars on August 20, 1987, citing obscure allegations.
The federal government’s Presidential Fee on Good Authorities (PCGG) amended the grievance thrice, with the final modification on January 22, 1988. Sato filed her Reply with Obligatory Counterclaim on January 16, 1989.
On October 11, 2024, Sato sought dismissal, saying she was implicated solely due to her involvement in Philippine Journal, which had been faraway from the alleged ill-gotten wealth record of the Romualdezes years in the past.
She cited earlier Sandiganbayan rulings dismissing instances after greater than 30 years as a consequence of delays.
However Affiliate Justice Sarah Jane Fernandez, the lone dissenter, mentioned the delays weren’t unreasonable as Sato had not asserted her rights earlier.
“The current case is a civil case and the delay complained of occurred in the course of the proceedings within the Sandiganbayan. Thus, the Sandiganbayan is in a greater place to justify the delay as a result of it’s extra acquainted with its personal information and proceedings,” Fernandez mentioned.
Sato represented Occidental Mindoro within the Home of Representatives from 2013 to 2022 and beforehand held positions as governor and vice governor. She ran once more for governor within the 2022 elections however was defeated by reelectionist Eduardo Gadiano. – Rappler.com
