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Perez vs. Office of the Ombudsman

LILYBETH R. PEREZ, PETITIONER, VS. OFFICE OF THE OMBUDSMAN, RESPONDENT.

G.R. Nos. 225568-70* | 2022-02-15

D E C I S I O N
 
GESMUNDO, C.J.:
 
In all criminal proceedings, the Court has the duty to balance the State's interest in prosecuting charges with an individual's rights to due process and to speedy disposition of cases. To guarantee these constitutionally protected rights, quasi-judicial and administrative bodies are enjoined to judiciously exert compliance with the prescribed time periods in resolving the complaints filed before them. Any perceived delay must be justified by the complexity of the issues or volume of evidence presented and must not be prejudicial to the accused. Otherwise, the proceedings will be construed...