The Office of the Ombudsman has issued a suspension order to least 13 past and present officials of the Procurement Service of the Department of Budget and Management (PS-DBM) and the Department of Health (DOH) following their involvement in the controversial purchase of COVID-19 test kits to supplier Pharmally Pharmaceuticals in 2020.
In the March 20 order released to the media on Thursday, Ombudsman Samuel Martires ordered a six-month suspension to Overall Deputy Ombudsman Warren Rex Liong, who was then the PS-DBM procurement director, and his fellow respondents.
This suspension order stemmed following the complaint filed by Senator Risa Hontiveros and former senator Richard Gordon back in 2021.
During the senate hearing, they probed PS-DBM's grant of contracts worth P8 billion to Pharmally Pharmaceutical corporation, despite the lack of track record. This includes the purchasing face masks, face shields, and personal protective equipment (PPEs).
Administration cases were then filed against officials involved "for grave misconduct, gross neglect of duty, serious dishonesty, and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service."
Aside from Liong, former PS-DBM chief Lloyd Christopher Lao was also in the list.
“After a careful evaluation of the records, this Office finds compelling reasons to place the following respondents under preventive suspension pending investigation of the instant case,” read the Ombudsman order.
“The overwhelming documentary proof shows that respondents' evidence of guilt is strong,” it added.
According to Martires, the gravity of the offenses, coupled with the seriousness of the participation of the accused, would warrant their removal from the service if the allegations are proven true.
The following individuals, who were with PS-DBM at the time of the transactions, were named in the list:
- Lloyd Christopher Lao
- Warren Rex Liong
- Christine Marie Suntay
- Fatimah Amsrha Penaflor
- Joshua Laure
- Earvin Jay Alparaque
- Julius Santos
- Paul Jasper De Guzma
- Dickson Panti
- Karen Anne Requintina
- Rodevie Cruz
- Webster Laureñana
- Sharon Baile
- Gerelyn Vergara
- Abelardo Gonzales
- Jez Charlemagne Arago
- Nicole John Cabueños
- Ray-ann Sorilla
- Chamel Fiji Melo
- Allan Raul Catalan
- Mervin Ian Tanquintic
- Jorge Mendoza III
- Jasonmer Uayan
- August Ylangan
Meanwhile, the following were those from the DOH:
- Nestor Santiago, Jr.
- Crispinita Valdez
- Amado Tandoc
- Lei Lanna Dancel
- Dave Tangcalagan
- Jhobert Bernal
- Kenneth Aristotle Punzalan
- Rose Marasigan
- Maria Carmela Reyes
The Ombudsman said the suspension would help ensure that the position and possible influence of the accused will not be used to affect the outcome of the case.
In February 2022, the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee recommended graft, corruption, and plunder charges against Pharmally executives and several public officials, including former Health Secretary Francisco Duque III, for transferring more than PHP 41 billion from the DOH’s COVID-19 fund to the PS-DBM, a portion of which was used to purchase medical goods from Pharmally.
