The Sandiganbayan has denied the petition of a former Davao City Water District (DCWD) official who sought to dismiss graft charges against him, arguing that the 24-year delay in his case violated his constitutional right to a speedy disposition.

Former DCWD general manager Wilfredo Carbonquillo is facing two counts of graft over the alleged rigging of the P33-million Cabantian Water Supply System Project in 1998. The complaint was filed with the Ombudsman in April 1998, but charges were only filed in court in March 2000.

Carbonquillo claimed the nearly two-year gap between investigation and indictment constituted a violation of his rights. In July, however, the Sandiganbayan already rejected his motion to quash the case, saying his 24 years in hiding amounted to a waiver of those rights.