The Sandiganbayan has dismissed the plea of former Davao City Water District (DCWD) general manager Wilfredo Carbonquillo to have graft charges against him dropped due to alleged delays violating his constitutional right to a prompt resolution. Carbonquillo faces two graft charges related to the 1998 tender rigging of the P33-million Cabantian Water Supply System Project.

Although the complaint was lodged with the Office of the Ombudsman in April 1998, formal charges were only brought to court in March 2000. Carbonquillo argued that the almost two-year interval between the filing of the complaint and the indictment unlawfully infringed upon his right to a speedy disposition of his case.

However, the Sandiganbayan has maintained its position, previously denying his motion to quash in July. The tribunal ruled that Carbonquillo's 24 years spent evading the court effectively waived any claim to a constitutional right to speedy proceedings.

This decision underscores the judiciary’s stance on accountability and procedural delays, emphasizing that prolonged absence from legal processes cannot be used as grounds to dismiss criminal charges.