📷 Lloyd Christopher Lao
The Ombudsman issued new graft indictments to ex-budget officials Lloyd Christopher Lao, Warren Liong, and Pharmally Pharmaceutical executives for graft over the anomalous P4 billion sale of Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs).
Based on the resolution approved by Ombudsman Samuel Martires on Thursday, January 9, and obtained by Rappler on Friday, January 10, the office said the case involves six transactions from April to May 2020.
In particular, the Ombudsman said the Department of Budget and Management – Procurement Service (PS-DBM) bought PPEs from undercapitalized Pharmally, linked to Michael Yang, ex-presidential adviser to Rodrigo Duterte.
“Finding probable cause, let the corresponding information be filed against the persons named below for Violation of Section 3(e) of Republic Act No. 3019 before the proper court,” read part of the resolution.
The offenses are bailable if they reach the court and warrants are issued.
In addition to Lao and Liong, Pharmally officials Twinkle Dargani, Mohit Dargani, Linconn Ong, Huang Tzu Yen, and Lin Weixiong have been charged with graft. Lin, linked to the drug trade by the PDEA, is a close associate of Michael Yang. Neither Lin nor Yang has appeared before the quad committee.
Lin, identified as Pharmally’s financial manager, was authorized by the board, prosecutors said. Yang, the guarantor, has no documented proof of his role. A Rappler investigation showed Lin and Yang purchased luxury villas worth P1 billion in Dubai during the Pharmally transactions.
This is Lin’s second graft indictment, following an earlier one involving RT-PCR kits. It’s the third for Lao, who also faces charges over RT-PCR kits and the transfer of COVID-19 funds. Liong, suspended as overall deputy ombudsman due to his involvement, faces three falsification charges related to the P4 billion PPE sale, while Lao faces two similar charges. (TCSP)
