EDITORIAL - Case filed

It’s good to know that the Office of the Ombudsman filed a total of 2,470 graft and other criminal cases in court last year, and finished preliminary investigation of 4,819 complaints. Among those indicted in 2011, according to the anti-graft agency, were former agriculture undersecretary Jocelyn “Jocjoc” Bolante and former justice secretary Agnes Devanadera.

It would be even better if the nation sees a high conviction rate. This was one of the criticisms of the Office of the Ombudsman before Conchita Carpio Morales was named as its new chief last year. While the anti-graft agency cited high numbers in filing cases, the conviction rate was deemed too low by, among others, those assessing the nation’s eligibility for additional US assistance under the Millennium Challenge Account.

Similar criticisms have been hurled at crime solution figures reported by the Philippine National Police. The figures are based on suspects arrested and cases filed, but not on the number of cases that actually prosper in court and lead to a conviction. It’s not unusual for police investigators to arrest and indict fall guys simply so that a crime can be declared solved. Critics have pointed out that “case filed” does not mean “case closed.”

The Office of the Ombudsman reported a 33.3 percent conviction rate in 2011 for 412 cases filed with the Sandiganbayan. The rate was higher, at 62.6 percent, in lower courts, the office reported. The public expects the rate to improve as cases handled by the office under a new ombudsman reach the courts.

While the low conviction rate can be attributed to the slow pace of justice, an airtight case can speed up a trial. The task of preparing a strong case that will stand in court and lead to a conviction belongs to prosecutors. The figures presented for 2011 by the Office of the Ombudsman are encouraging, but there’s a big room for improvement.