Syjuco fertilizer scam case dismissed over Ombudsman delays

The Sandiganbayan has thrown out the P5-million fertilizer fund scam case of former Iloilo Rep. Augusto Syjuco Jr. because of the unreasonable delays in the Ombudsman’s investigation.

In a 12-page resolution dated March 16, the court’s First Division said the Ombudsman violated Syjuco’s right to speedy disposition of his case because its investigation had taken almost 12 years.

Although former provincial administrator Manuel Mejorada filed his complaint on Feb. 27, 2006, the Ombudsman indicted Syjuco in the Sandiganbayan only on Nov. 7 last year.

“The court found no plausible explanation why the [Ombudsman] needed these number of years to determine the presence of probable cause to indict the accused-movants,” the resolution read. —VINCE F. NONATO