News Briefs: Dismissal of cases vs ex-Surigao solons appealed

State prosecutors have appealed the Sandiganbayan’s dismissal of the graft cases against former Surigao del Sur Reps. Jesnar and Peter Paul Jed Falcon over unreasonable delays on the part of the Ombudsman.

In a motion for reconsideration, the Office of the Special Prosecutor justified that the three-and-a-half-year “inaction” during preliminary investigation was warranted by the need to scrutinize the records.

The Feb. 3 resolution had blamed the prosecution for taking five years and eight months to bring the case to the court.

The complaint was filed on March 25, 2011. The Ombudsman approved the Falcons’ indictment on Nov. 19, 2014.

The elder Falcon was indicted for graft for allegedly approving the procurement of 113 units of Suzuki Chariot Powercabs without public bidding in 2003.

His son was accused of funneling P13.1 million from his Priority Development Assistance Fund in 2005 to Kabus Foundation, Inc., where he was an incorporator. —VINCE F. NONATO

Ragos to remain in NBI custody

Former Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) officer in charge Rafael Ragos, coaccused of Sen. Leila de Lima in a drug trafficking case, will remain at the custody of the National Bureau of Investigation as ordered by the Muntinlupa City court.

In her commitment order, Judge Juanita Guerrero of Regional Trial Court Branch 204 granted the request of the NBI to take custody of Ragos.

“Accused is ordered committed to the detention facility of the (NBI) under the supervision and control of the Security Management Section,” the court order said. Ragos, a former deputy director of the NBI, surrendered to the bureau on Sunday. —Erika Sauler

Ex-Surigao gov wants fertilizer fund case quashed

Former Surigao del Norte Gov. Robert Lyndon Barbers has asked the Sandiganbayan to dismiss the graft and malversation cases against him in connection with the 2004 fertilizer fund scam.
In his motion, Barbers cited the alleged “unexplained delay” of five years and three months taken by the Ombudsman during the preliminary investigation.

Although the Task Force Abono filed the complaint in August 2010, the Ombudsman only found probable cause to indict Barbers in November 2015 and brought the case to the Sandiganbayan this month.

Barbers was charged with two counts each of malversation and graft for the purchase of 3,322 kilograms of Elements foliar fertilizer for P4.998 million without public bidding.

The fertilizer was also allegedly overpriced by P1,330 per kg or by P4.43 million. —Vince F. Nonato

Jan. 25 declared Day of National Remembrance for SAF44

Malacañang has declared Jan. 25 of every year as National Remembrance Day for the 44 members of the Philippine National Police Special Action Force who were killed in a police operation on Jan. 25, 2015, in Mamasapano, Maguindanao.

President Duterte signed Proclamation No. 164 on Feb.21 declaring Jan. 25 as the “Day of National Remembrance.”

“I ask all our countrymen to remember the heroism of the SAF 44 and recall the daily sacrifices of our uniformed personnel for the sake of continued peace and security of our nation,” the President said. —Christine O. Avendaño