Sandigan junks raps vs Syjuco over probe delay

Former Iloilo congressman Augusto Syjuco Jr. has been cleared in one of the graft charges filed against him before the Sandiganbayan due to the inordinate delay in the investigation by the Office of the Ombudsman.

In a 12-page resolution released yesterday, the anti-graft court’s first division granted Syjuco’s motion to dismiss the case.

Syjuco said the ombudsman violated his constitutional right to speedy disposition of cases when it took almost 12 years to resolve the complaint.

The Sandiganbayan said the prosecution failed to provide any plausible justification for the delay in the investigation.

“The Supreme Court has clarified... that the utter failure of the prosecution to explain the delay in proceedings outweighs the lack of follow-ups from the accused,” the court resolution read.

The charges filed against Syjuco’s coaccused former Alimodian vice mayor RaLEGAZPI mon Anino and former municipal councilors Emmanuel Adricula, Aquiles Cabaluna Jr., Miguel Ambong, Geefre Alonsabe, Job Almacen and Roy Almonares were also dismissed.

The case stemmed from the alleged misuse of P5 million from the budget of the Department of Agriculture (DA) to implement the Ginintuang Masaganang Ani program in 2004.

Syjuco allegedly conspired with the local government officials to enter into a memorandum of agreement with nongovernment organization Tawo Kag Duta sa Kauswagan Cooperative, which was not accredited to implement the project.

Graft probers said the respondents also deviated from the original agreement with the DA.

Syjuco, former director general of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, is facing several other charges in connection with the pork barrel scam, alleged overpriced purchase of TESDA educational materials and questionable grants of TESDA scholarships.