Sandiganbayan eyes flood control case verdicts within the year

September 10, 2026

By ABOGADO.COM.PH Staff

Sandiganbayan Presiding Justice Geraldine Faith Econg said flood control corruption cases pending before the anti-graft court are moving and some of them may be disposed of within the year.

Econg said the Office of the Ombudsman’s first case was filed on November 18, 2025, and some of the first cases that were filed have reached the defense stage in less than a year.

“So that’s pretty fast,” Econg said at the Senate hearing on the judiciary’s budget.

She said a verdict could be handed down on some of the cases this year.

“If we follow the speedy trial act that was enacted by the Supreme Court, we will see the conviction within the year, or acquittal within the year. The disposition within the year, which may be a conviction or acquittal,” she said.

Econg said the Office of the Ombudsman has so far filed a total of 26 cases related to the flood control corruption issue.

The respondents in some of the cases include Sen. Jinggoy Estrada, former Sen. Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr., former Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Elizaldy Co, and Leyte Rep. and former Speaker Martin Romualdez.