SC to act swiftly on any proposal to expedite flood control cases

Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo on Wednesday, Oct. 22, said the Supreme Court (SC) will review and act immediately on whatever recommendations the Sandiganbayan may propose to expedite the trial of cases that may be filed in connectioin with the anomalous flood control projects.

- REY G. PANALIGAN

Earlier, Sandiganbayan Presiding Justice Geraldine Faith A. Econg had said the anti-graft court is eyeing to conduct marathon hearings on the flood control cases to render a decision in less than a year.

Ombudsman Jesus Crispin C. Remulla also said his office is considering expediting the evaluation of the complaints to just 48 hours, and the fact-finding and preliminary investigation to just 60 days each to avoid the dismissal of the charges due to inordinate delay.

Already, five or six cases involving flood control projects are now set for preliminary investigation by the Office of the Ombudsman (OMB).

Chief Justice Gesmundo's reaction to Presiding Justice Econg's statement was aired on the sidelines of the SC meeting at The Manila Hotel with various stakeholders and development partners in the assessment of the gains achieved for the third year of the five-year Strategic Plan for Judicial Innovations (SPJI) that was launched in October 2022.

Also, during the meeting on SPJI, Senior Associate Justice Marvic M.V.F.

Leonen said there were halls of justice built by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) with contractors named in the anomalous flood control projects.