Push Admin

Lito Lapid wins graft case due to Ombudsman's delay

Article (news)

Carolyn Bonquin, ABS-CBN News

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/news-special1/nation/10/4/lito-lapid-100416.jpg"/></figure></div>MANILA – The Sandiganbayan has dismissed the graft case against former Senator Lito Lapid in connection with the fertilizer fund scam, citing the “inordinate delay” of the Office of the Ombudsman’s investigation.The graft case against Lapid stemmed from the allegedly irregular and overpriced purchase of P4.7 million worth of liquid fertilizer in 2004.<ul class="op-related-articles" title="Read">	<li>READ: <a href="http://news.abs-cbn.com/nation/11/05/15/lito-lapid-5-others-face-graft-raps-over-fertilizer-fund-scam">Lito Lapid, 5 others face graft raps over fertilizer fund scam</a></li></ul>The Sandiganbayan said the Ombudsman failed to justify the delay in the preliminary investigation against Lapid. The Ombudsman started its fact-finding investigation in 2006, filed the complaint in 2011, and only filed the case in 2015.&quot;From the foregoing timeline, it appears that four (4) years and six (6) months had lapsed from the time of the filing of the Complaint in 2011 until the time the information was filed in 2015. Three (3) years and one (1) month out of this said period was consumed in the Ombudsman&#x27;s preliminary investigation,&quot; a portion of the Sandiganbayan resolution read.The anti-graft court added that in case of delay, the State (should) prove that the delay was reasonable, or that the delay is not attributable to it.The Sandiganbayan said the prosecution failed to hurdle the burden since no plausible explanation was given to justify the delay.

MANILA – The Sandiganbayan has dismissed the graft case against former Senator Lito Lapid in connection with the fertilizer fund scam, citing the “inordinate delay” of the Office of the Ombudsman’s investigation.

MANILA – The Sandiganbayan has dismissed the graft case against former Senator Lito Lapid in connection with the fertilizer fund scam, citing the “inordinate delay” of the Office of the Ombudsman’s investigation.

Lito Lapid wins graft case due to Ombudsman's delay

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

Sudoku

Word of the Day

Lotto

Horoscope

News

Lito Lapid wins graft case due to Ombudsman's delay

Carolyn Bonquin,

ABS-CBN News

Published October 04, 2016 06:07 PM PHT

Read More:

Sandiganbayan

Lito Lapid

fertilizer fund scam

graft

ombudsman

ABS-CBN Newsletter

Your go-to source for the latest news, entertainment highlights, exclusive interviews, and updates on your favorite Kapamilya stars.

ABS-CBN Newsletter

Your go-to source for the latest news, entertainment highlights, exclusive interviews, and updates on your favorite Kapamilya stars.

Sign Up

I have read and agree to the Terms and Privacy Policy.

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.