Sandiganbayan dismisses P276M and P5M cases vs Marcoses due to delay

The Sandiganbayan dismissed a P276 million ill-gotten wealth case and another P5 million case against the Marcoses due to unreasonable delays by state prosecutors.

In February 1989, the Sandiganbayan had already declared items in Civil Case No. 0032 as unlawfully acquired by Timbol and forfeited to the State.

The Second Division of the Sandiganbayan dismissed both cases, citing unexplained inaction for over four decades as grounds for dismissal.

Civil Case 0032 alleged that vehicles and household appliances were acquired through influence with co-accused Fernando Timbol and should be returned to the government.

As the law dictates, the plaintiff's failure to prosecute these cases within a reasonable timeframe warrants their dismissal.

The Sandiganbayan emphasized that the delay in pursuing the case since 1994 left it unresolved for too long and could no longer be countenanced.

This resolution concludes Civil Case No. 0032, which was part of over 40 civil suits filed against the Marcoses and their associates in 1987.