Ombudsman conviction rate soars to new record high

The Ombudsman’s campaign to run after and pin down corrupt officials continues to improve as the conviction rate in cases filed with the Sandiganbayan soared to another record high in the past two months amid criticisms on the independence and integrity of the anti-graft office over controversial cases.

Records at the office of Ombudsman Ma. Merceditas Gutierrez showed that the anti-graft office posted a 91.3-percent conviction rate last month after securing convictions in 21 of 23 cases at the anti-graft court as of Nov. 14.

In October, the Ombudsman posted 91.8 percent in its conviction rating after graft prosecutors won in 56 of 61 cases before the Sandiganbayan. It was the highest rating obtained by the office so far this year.

This improved performance has brought to 60.87 percent the standing cumulative conviction rate of the anti-graft office for this year, or a total of 168 convictions in 276 cases. The Ombudsman only had a 47.6-percent cumulative conviction rate entering into the last quarter of the year.

The Ombudsman has been criticized by various sectors for the dismissal last month of robbery and graft cases filed by the Ombudsman against former justice secretary Hernando “Nani” Perez and three others over “inordinate delay” in preliminary investigation.

Gutierrez was also slammed for the supposedly slow pace of investigation into graft charges against former agriculture undersecretary Jocelyn “Jocjoc” Bolante in relation to the P728-million fertilizer fund scam.

Ombudsman officials already denied these allegations and have appealed the decision of the Sandiganbayan on the extortion case against Perez and are hopeful for a favorable decision. – Edu Punay