Former Commission on Elections Chairman Benjamin Abalos Sr. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
Noting that he was already in his “twilight years,” former Commission on Elections Chair Benjamin Abalos, 82, has asked the Sandiganbayan to throw out his latest graft case over unreasonable delays on the part of the Office of the Ombudsman.
The case involves the June 2003 purchase of two Toyota Revo VX 200 cars worth P1.71 million, which prosecutors said were bought without going through public bidding.
Abalos, in a 15-page motion to quash filed before the Sandiganbayan Sixth Division, questioned why it took “over eight years” for the agency to conduct its preliminary investigation and bring the case to the court.
He noted that the Field Investigation Office’s complaint was filed on October 2008, but, to his “shock and dismay,” he was only sent a “Second Order” on September 2014 directing him to file his counteraffidavit.
“He does not even remember, to the best of his ability, having received a First Order,” the motion noted.
Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales approved his indictment in August 2015, and denied his motion for reconsideration in March this year. Yet, the case information was only filed with the antigraft court in October.
“Clearly, the Ombudsman violated Abalos’ right to the speedy disposition of the instant case when it took over eight years to file the instant case before this Honorable Court,” the motion read. —VINCE F. NONATO