Sandiganbayan junks Rep. Jojo Ang's bid to consolidate flood control graft cases

The Sandiganbayan has junked the bid of Uswag Ilonggo party-list Rep. Jojo Ang to consolidate his graft case before the Sixth Division with another graft case he is facing with the Second Division due to lack of merit.

In a resolution dated August 24, the Sandiganbayan Sixth Division said that consolidation of cases after the raffle is discretionary, not mandatory.

Ang is facing 14 graft cases, and the lowest docket number of the graft case leveled against him is pending before the Second Division.

“The 14 cases arose from the same Resolution of the Office of the Ombudsman. Each of the 14 cases involves a project awarded by DPWH to Allencon [Development Corporation], wherein accused Ang was allegedly a stockholder. Although the said cases appear to be similar in nature, it is undeniable that each case involves a project separate and distinct from the others,” the Sandiganbayan said.

“Thus, it is improbable that there will be conflicting rulings on factual matters,” it added.

In addition, the anti-graft court said consolidating cases will merely cause delay since the set of evidence for each each will be different from each other, requiring more time.

“If the cases are consolidated, instead of deciding the case immediately after the parties present their respective evidence insofar as a specific project is concerned, the court must allow the parties to present evidence as to all concerned projects, and will have to consider more documentary exhibits and witness testimonies before deciding the cases,” it said.

“Hence, consolidation must be denied. Accordingly, accused Ang's Motion for Consolidation is hereby denied for lack of merit,” the anti-graft court added.—AOL, GMA News