Sandiganbayan allows Ombudsman to withdraw 6 graft cases vs Lao, Pharmally execs

The Sandiganbayan has permitted the Office of the Ombudsman to withdraw six graft cases against former Budget Undersecretary Lloyd Christopher Lao, Pharmally Pharmaceutical Corporation officers, and other Procurement Service - Department of Budget and Management (PS-DBM) officials.

Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla ordered the recall of these criminal cases, citing that some facts and evidence were not considered and must be reevaluated.

The Sandiganbayan's 1st Division affirmed that Ombudsman Remulla has the authority to review and overturn decisions made by his predecessor, and double jeopardy has not yet been established, allowing for the potential refiling of the dismissed cases.

These cases are linked to the allegedly anomalous procurement of P4 billion in COVID-19 supplies by the PS-DBM, then headed by Lao, during the pandemic.

A Senate inquiry flagged the transactions as anomalous, citing alleged overpricing and claims that Pharmally, a firm with only P625,000 in paid-up capital, received preferential treatment.