Graft charges were filed before the Sandiganbayan on Tuesday, August 27, against former Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Francisco Duque III and Procurement Service Department of Budget and Management (PS-DBM) Undersecretary Lloyd Christopher Lao.
The Office of the Ombudsman (OMB) filed the charges before the Sandiganbayan, Ombudsman Samuel Martines confirmed to reporters on Tuesday, August 27. Duque is accused of the irregular transfer of the COVID-19 funds amounting to P41.4B to the PS-DBM from March to December 2020.
According to authorities, the funds were supposed to be utilized for urgently purchasing detection kits, nucleic acid extraction machines, mechanical ventilators, personal protective equipment (PPE), surgical masks, cadaver bags, and other test kits. However, the funds were not used for their intended purpose. It was mentioned that the PS-DBM did not have such medical items in its inventory.
Government officials suggest that Lao accepted the fund transfers, even if the PS-DBM did not have the supplies needed by the DOH. moreover, Duque charged a four percent fee worth P1.6 billion taken from the department’s funds.
Due to this, Duque and Lao are accused of violating Section 3(e) of the Republic Act (RA) No. 3019, or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act. RA 3019 prohibits public officials from giving unwarranted benefits, advantages, or preferences to any private parties, including the government, undue injury.
In a raffle on Friday, August 30, the case was referred to the Anti-graft Court’s first division. The court will review the case to find reasonable grounds for its validity.
Individuals charged for the practice of graft are recommended bail by the OMB worth P90,000 each.
