BILL OF RIGHTS

SECTION 16

Section 16. “All persons shall have the right to a speedy disposition of their cases before all
judicial, quasi-judicial, or administrative bodies.”

Speedy Disposition of Cases

LOPEZ vs. OMBUDSMAN – “” Certain complaints have been pending before the Sandiganbayan for almost 4 years. This
interval prior to the resolution finding the existence of probable cause came w/o any explanation; thus the accused
therein prayed for its dismissal invoking his right to speedy disposition of his case. Eventually, after the prolonged
delay, the appropriate informations were filed. The subsequent filing of the informations does not cure or
correct the unexplained delay in the resolution of the criminal complaints. There has been, in this case, an
unreasonable delay in the resolution of the case, thus the right accrues. The case is thus ordered Dismissed.

Notes on Speedy Disposition:

1. The guarantee covers the period before, during, and after trial

2. It is a flexible concept and various factors must be considered, such as the length of delay, reason for the delay,
assertion of the right or failure to assert it, and the prejudice caused by the delay

3. The right is deemed violated only when the proceedings are attended by vexatious, capricious, and oppressive
delays, or when unjustified postponements are asked for and secured, or when an unreasonable time elapses
without the party’s case being tried. Not all delays are unreasonable.

4. The remedy in case of unreasonable delay is dismissal obtained through Mandamus