13 Tarlac City execs suspended over P100-M medicine purchases
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO—Ombudsman Samuel Martires has suspended 13 Tarlac City officials, composed of department heads and Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) members, over allegedly overpriced, ghost deliveries and irregular purchases of medicines worth at least P100 million in 2017 and 2018.
“There is strong evidence showing their guilt,” Martires said in part of the eight-page order, which placed the officials under preventive suspension for up to six months without pay.
The order was based on findings from a fraud investigation conducted by the Commission on Audit (COA) in 2024.
Dated July 7 and endorsed to the city human resources chief on July 18, the Ombudsman order stemmed from an administrative complaint for grave misconduct, gross neglect of duty, serious dishonesty, and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service filed against the 13 personnel by five incumbent and former city councilors.
Ordered suspended were the subject of the complaint – City Health Officer Ma. Carmela Lacsamana-Go, City Treasurer Agnes Torres, City Accountant Roland Domingo and Property and Supply Officer Renato Policarpio Jr.
Also included were the BAC officials – chair Romeo de Leon; vice chairpersons Jose Dungca and Numer Lobo; members Lorina Ledesma, Reymar Razon and Emilio Sicangco; secretariat head Cesarina Macuha; BAC Technical Working Group member Tristan Gozum; and inspection officer Orlando Gatpolintan.
The Ombudsman explained the preventive suspension aims to prevent evidence tampering, ensure the integrity of the investigation, halt further misuse of public funds or authority, and uphold accountability and public trust in government processes.
The complaint was filed by incumbent Tarlac City Councilors Pee Jay Echalar Basangan and Emily Rosal Ladera-Facunla, along with former councilors Genaro Mendoza and Vladimir San Pedro Rodriguez, following findings by a COA special audit team.
The alleged irregularity happened during the term of then Mayor Cristy Angeles, now the representative of Tarlac’s second district, but she was not involved in the complaint lodged before the anti-graft body.
‘Overpriced’
Among the alleged anomalies were P7.09 million worth of “overpriced” medicines from three purchases in 2017; P843,900 worth of medicines bought outside the Department of Health’s approved lists; and more than P2.8 million worth of medicines with incomplete or vague descriptions—violations of procurement laws.
COA also discovered P50.83 million worth of ghost deliveries and payments for medicines with no proof of delivery or inspection, relying only on certifications signed by the officials involved.
It further reported that suppliers for a city circumcision program called “Angel’s Cut” lacked Food and Drug Administration licenses and business permits.
Violations of transparency and eligibility requirements in procurement were also flagged, including the awarding of contracts without necessary disclosures or proper credentials.
The audit noted a failure to maintain inventory and stock records, leading to unaccounted drugs and medical supplies worth P24.6 million.
COA labeled the transactions as “irregular and fraudulent,” citing violations of Republic Act No. 9184 (Government Procurement Reform Act), RA 3019 (Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act), and RA 7080 (Anti-Plunder Law).
Although the suspended officials have yet to issue their statements, former Tarlac governor and now Tarlac City Mayor Susan Yap said her administration will “fully cooperate” with the Ombudsman’s probe, reaffirming her commitment to good governance, transparency, and accountability.
