Overall Deputy Ombudsman Warren Rex Liong has been suspended by his own agency, the Office of the Ombudsman, along with 32 former and incumbent officials of the Procurement Service of the Department of Budget and Management (PS-DBM) and the Department of Health (DOH) over their alleged involvement in the questionable purchase of COVID-19 pandemic supplies in 2020 and 2021.
Ombudsman Samuel Martires ordered Liong’s suspension following an evaluation of the complaint filed by Senator Risa Hontiveros and former Senator Richard Gordon, who investigated the alleged anomalous purchases as head of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee in the 18th Congress.
Liong was the procurement group director of PS-DBM at the time that a small company, Pharmally Pharmaceutical Corp., bagged the multibillion-peso contracts for pandemic supplies.
The Senate probe led to the filing of administrative cases for grave misconduct, gross neglect of duty, serious dishonesty, and conduct prejudicial to the best of interest of service against Liong and other respondents before the Office of the Ombudsman.
“After a careful evaluation of the records, this office finds compelling reasons to place the respondents under preventive suspension pending investigation of the instant case,” Martires said in the order dated March 20.
“The overwhelming documentary proof shows that respondents’ evidence of guilt is strong,” he added.
Also suspended with Liong were former PS-DBM head and ex-Budget Undersecretary Lloyd Christopher Lao and Health Assistant Secretary Nestor Santiago Jr.
During the Senate investigation, it was found that Pharmally bagged over P10-billion worth of COVID-19 supply contracts even if its paid up capital only amounted to P625,000.
Martires said the suspension of Liong and his co-respondents without pay for six months would allow the Office of the Ombudsman to conduct an “unhampered investigation” on the charges against them.
“Indubitably, respondents’ continued stay in office may prejudice the case filed against them,” the Ombudsman said.
Other respondents include the following from DBM:
· Christine Marie L. Suntay
· Fatimah Amsha A. Peñaflor
· Joshua S. Laure
· Earvin Jay I. Alparaque
· Julius M. Santos
· Paul Jasper V. de Guzman
· Dickson T. Panti
· Karen Anne Requintina
· Rodevie Cruz
· Webster Laureñana
· Sharon Baile
· Gerelyn F. Vergara
· Abelardo Gonzales
· Jez Charlemagne Arago
· Nicole John Cabueños
Ray-ann V. Sorilla
Chamel Fiji C. Melo
· Allan Raul M. Catalan
· Mervin Ian D. Tanquintic
· Jorge L. Mendoza III
· Jasonmer L. Uayan
· August M. Ylangan
The officials suspended from DOH include:
· Crispinita A. Valdez
· Amado Tandoc
· Lei Lanna Dancel
· Dave Tangcalagan
· Jhobert Bernal
· Kenneth Aristotle P. Punzalan
· Rose Marasigan
· Maria Carmela Reyes
