Lapid seeks dismissal of graft case

ALLEGING that the Office of the Ombudsman is sleeping on the case, Sen. Manuel ‘Lito’ Lapid has asked the Sandiganbayan’s First Division to dismiss the graft charge filed against him and five others in connection with the multi-million fertilizer fund scam in 2004.

A 25-page urgent motion filed by his lawyers said: “Wherefore, accused Manuel M. Lapid respectfully prays that this Honorable Court...(d)ismiss this case outright in view of the violation of Senator Lapid’s Constitutional rights to due process, including that of speedy disposition of cases and the right to be fully informed of the nature and cause of the accusation against him.”