Flood mess convictions seen in less than a year

Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla believes that one year is more than enough to secure convictions in cases that will be filed in relation to anomalies in flood control projects.

- JANVIC MATEO

If courts would allow continuous trial and will not agree to any delay, he said it is even possible to finish trial within a month.

“That won’t take a year if the court doesn’t allow dilatory tactics. Because dilatory tactics are always the problem. That's what lawyers get paid for: how to delay the case. Then later, the case will go stale, and they'll claim there was an inordinate delay,” Remulla said in English and Filipino over “Storycon” on One News on Wednesday.

Remulla said they are strengthening evidence gathering to ensure that solid cases are filed against those involved in the anomalies.

“We really have to raise the bar of evidence and really work better with the evidence that has to be laid out in court, so you can have a continuous trial and rest your case,” said Remulla.

“There are provisions of the law that allow it, there are Rules of Court that allow it. We have Supreme Court issuances that allow continuous trial, but the government hardly took that recourse because the evidence gathering was not very thorough at the time,” he added.

During a continuous trial, Remulla said the prosecution may be able to finish presenting evidence within five to seven court hearings.

“That will be finished in one month if the court will not allow any postponement... one month, that’s very hopeful, (maybe) a little more than that," he added.

Remulla did not give a timetable as to when they will start filing cases.

But he said they have enough to charge the contractor couple Curlee and Sarah Discaya and resigned partylist congressman Zaldy Co.

"Malversation, so far.

That's why we have to strengthen it more," he said, referring to the possible case against Co.

Depending on the evidence, Remulla said plunder charges may also be filed against those involved in the anomalies. He said they are also looking at tax evasion and other charges.