Patience is likely to fail when the prayer in the petition seems futile. Losing hope for something we keep waiting for is a genuine dilemma to overcome. It is often a predicament of a ready and waiting person.
The most common prayer of every party is a plea for a speedy disposition of cases as guaranteed by the Bill of Rights. This right is intended to encompass all litigants, whether indigent or affluent.
Nevertheless, what the Constitution prohibits are unreasonable, arbitrary and oppressive delays which render rights nugatory. This principle is laid down by the Supreme Court in the case of Caballero vs. Alfonso, Jr. (153, SCRA 153, 162-163, August 21, 1987) and Gonzales vs. Sandiganbayan (G.R. No. 135889. January 18, 2005). It is not, therefore, the length of time a court takes to render a decision that constitutes delay of judgment.
Also, the lawyers are not alone to blame in the violation of the maxim “justice delayed is justice denied”. Bear in mind that our court dockets are usually clogged with mass lawsuits that require due diligence and ample time.
