— The anti-graft court has dismissed a decades-long forfeiture of unlawfully acquired property case against ex-Tacloban City Mayor Alfredo “Bejo” Romualdez, a brother of former first lady Imelda Marcos, and other respondents due to violation of their right to speedy disposition of cases.
Robinsons Land Corporation was also later included as a respondent after it obtained properties from Romson Realty. It also said the government repeatedly failed to fully comply with the court's resolutions. Government prosecutors reasoned that this was due to “voluminous workload consisting of hearings and preparation of pleadings in other equally important cases,” but the Sandigabayan said these explanations were “flimsy excuses.”
It also noted that the original petition had already undergone three amendments which were all initiated by the government, for a period covering over 20 years.