Delayed cases not fault of gov’t

THIS IS in response to the paid ad of Estelito P. Mendoza and Associates titled “SO THAT THE PCGG AND OSG (and others) HAVE THE FACTS RIGHT ON WHY THE PRESENTATION OF THEIR TESTIMONIAL EVIDENCE ON THE LUCIO TAN ILL-GOTTEN WEALTH CASE WAS TERMINATED BY THE SANDIGANBAYAN IN APRIL 23, 2009.”

It must be clarified that the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) in no way advertently or fortuitously caused delay in the proceedings of the case of the Philippine government against Lucio Tan.

A review of the timeline would reveal that the prolonged setback, specifically that which was stretched between 1987 and 2005, was riddled with an array of ambiguous motions by Lucio Tan. In fact, in several instances, even before the OSG could present its evidence, Tan through his counsel Estelito P. Mendoza, had already filed at least 22 motions which consumed considerable time and delayed the speedy resolution of the cases.

In addition, allow us to stress that the postponements attributed by the court to have been requested by the government were without malice and with reasonable explanation.

It must likewise be reiterated that even with our commitment and determination for the prompt resolution of these cases, we cannot meddle with the duties of the court to administer justice after a careful and deliberate assessment of the facts at hand.

We hope that this will clarify any misimpression created by the aforementioned ad so that the public may have the facts and not be blinded by misinformation.

—FR. HILARION B. BUBAN,
chief of staff,
Office of the Solicitor General