MANILA — Ifugao Rep. Teodoro Baguilat, Jr. has asked the Sandiganbayan to dismiss a graft case filed against him over the alleged overpriced purchase of a second-hand vehicle in 2003 during his term as governor of Ifugao.
In a seven-page dismissal motion, Baguilat said the Sandiganbayan Fifth Division should dismiss his case, since it took the Office of the Ombudsman almost 13 years to determine his alleged criminal liability.
“Accused Baguilat respectfully moves that the instant case be dismissed due to the inordinate delay of the OMB (Office of the Ombudsman) in resolving the present case, thereby violating the Constitutional right of accused Baguilat to due process and speedy disposition of his case,” Baguilat’s motion said.
The Ombudsman has charged Baguilat with one count each of violation of Sections 3(e) and 3(g) of Republic Act No. 3019, or the “Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act”.
Baguilat and two provincial officials allegedly conspired with one another when they purchased a second-hand Isuzu Wagon Trooper worth PHP900,000 from a certain Jose Man Singh of JMS General Merchandise.
The anti-graft court accused Baguilat and his co-accused of approving the procurement despite the lack of a public bidding and without proper budget appropriation.
The deal was already negotiated even before the purchase was made.
However, Baguilat said the complaint violated his right to a speedy disposition of the case, since the alleged crime took place in 2003 but he was only charged on Feb. 9, 2018. (PNA)
