Group slams Marcos case dismissal

THE August Twenty-One Movement (ATOM) has condemned the Sandiganbayan’s dismissal of a 35-year-old ill-gotten wealth case against the Marcos family.

In a resolution promulgated on June 2 and made public last week, the anti-graft court’s Special Division terminated Civil Case No. 0141, a forfeiture petition, after the Presidential Commission on Good Government manifested that it would no longer present further evidence.

ATOM leader Voltaire Bohol said the decision was “totally unacceptable,” and questioned the timing of the ruling, which he said coincided with heightened public attention on Senate investigations involving the Vice-President.

“Sandiganbayan chose this time because they feel all eyes are on the Senate,” Mr. Bohol said via a Viber chat.

“We just felt that they timed this when all of us are glued to the Senate and mad at how the Senators loyal to the Vice-President are wreaking havoc and almost destroying the institution just to protect Sara and to divert attention away from the impeachment,” he said.

He added that public perception of accountability in long-running corruption cases remains important for trust in institutions and governance.

He said that the lack of accountability for the Marcoses has emboldened other political dynasties to follow a similar path.

“Just because the Dutertes appear to be the main villains this month doesn’t mean you should dismiss cases against the Marcoses,” the group also said in a statement.

In its resolution, the Sandiganbayan ruled that in view of the petitioner’s manifestation and the absence of evidence concerning the remaining properties, the proceedings in the case were officially terminated.

The ATOM maintained that continued scrutiny of historical corruption cases remains necessary for public accountability. — Erika Mae P. Sinaking