Rowegie Abanto

The Sandiganbayan building in Quezon City. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News/File

Article (news)

Kaxandra Salonga

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/178695873315420200219-sandganbayan-headquarters-jc-1098.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/>The Sandiganbayan building in Quezon City. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News/FileMANILA — The Sandiganbayan Fifth Division dismissed a graft case against Malilipot, Albay Mayor Cenon Volante after ruling that the prosecution violated his constitutional right to the speedy disposition of his case.</div>In a resolution promulgated on Aug. 14, the anti-graft court granted Volante&#x27;s motion to dismiss his case. The court also ordered the lifting of the Hold Departure Order issued against Volante and the release of his posted bail.The prosecution alleged that Volante violated the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act by entering into an illegal purchase of three parcels of land worth more than P12 million for a solid waste disposal facility without proper authority and prior geological or environmental assessments.It claimed that the transaction supposedly granted unwarranted benefits to the property owners and caused undue injury to the government.<div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/8/14/sandiganbayan-dismisses-graft-case-vs-former-iloilo-mayor-due-to-inordinate-delay-1757">Sandiganbayan dismisses graft case vs. former Iloilo mayor Mabilog due to inordinate delay</a></div>Associate Justice Gener Gito wrote in the resolution that the preliminary investigation and refiling took four years, two months, and 10 days. The court found that the prosecution failed to provide sufficient justification for the delays in internal review and transmission of documents.&quot;The constitutional guarantee of speedy disposition of cases demands that the State proceed with reasonable promptness at every stage of the investigation and prosecution. While the mere passage of time does not by itself establish a violation, substantial delay that remains inadequately explained, viewed in light of the totality of the circumstances, cannot be countenanced,” the resolution read.The prosecution previously argued that the delay was due to the case&#x27;s complexity and the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.However, the court noted that the issues tackled in the case were &quot;simple, straightforward and easily determinable&quot; and did not require forensic examination or other technical evaluations.“In the absence of a specific explanation demonstrating why the issues and records in this case rendered the delays necessary or inevitable, the prosecution&#x27;s bare characterization of the case as a complex cannot be sustained,&quot; the court said.

The Sandiganbayan Fifth Division dismissed a graft case against Malilipot, Albay Mayor Cenon Volante after ruling that the prosecution violated his constitutional right to the speedy disposition of his case.

The Sandiganbayan Fifth Division dismissed a graft case against Malilipot, Albay Mayor Cenon Volante after ruling that the prosecution violated his constitutional right to the speedy disposition of his case.

Sandiganbayan junks graft case vs Malilipot, Albay mayor over delays

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

BINI

Sudoku

Word of the Day

Lotto

Horoscope

Nation

Sandiganbayan junks graft case vs Malilipot, Albay mayor over delays

Kaxandra Salonga,

ABS-CBN News

Published August 17, 2026 05:32 PM PHT

Read More:

Sandiganbayan

Tiwi

Albay

Malilipot

Solid Waste

Graft

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.

Haven't received our newsletter?

Check your inbox to verify and confirm your subscription.

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.