Ex-Samar gov in graft, malversation raps

THE charges ch before the Sandiganbayan against ag former Samar governor and an now Samar Second District Rep. R Milagrosa Tan and other individuals d in connection with the purchase p of drugs, medicines and dental d supplies totaling P69.04 million m in 2007.

The Ombudsman filed three co counts of violation of Section 3(g) o of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practi tices Act against Tan and Roselyn ch charge sheets as then-proprietor of Z Zybermed Medi Pharma.

In the first and second case es, the Ombudsman alleged in the charge sheets that Tan “p “purchase[ d] drugs and medici cines totaling” P30.7 million an and totaling P4.6 million “from Z Zybermed Medi Pharma... which tr transaction was deemed ‘ unneces essary and non- responsive to the ex exigencies of the service’ by the Commission on Audit,” supposedly “there being no justification for the purchase of such large quantities of drugs, medicines and dental supplies, thus both accused, in conspiracy with each other, had entered into a contract that is grossly disadvantageous to the government, particularly the province of Samar.”

In the third case, it was alleged that Tan purchased drugs and medicines totaling” P33.68 million from Zybermed Medi Pharma.

According to the charge sheets, Zybermed Medi Pharma was “a Pasig City- based business entity” that was supposedly “not licensed to operate business in Catbalogan City, Samar, and in Pasig City.”

counts of violation of Section 3(e) of the anti-graft law against Tan; then-provincial treasurer Bienvenido Sabanecio Jr.; then-provincial accountant Francasio Detosil; Ariel Yboa, who was then-OIC of the then-, administrative officer Ro George Abrina; and Larce.

The Ombudsman alleged in the charge sheets that Tan, Sabanecio, Detosil, Yboa, Montejo and Abrina, “conniving and confederating with one another and with” Larce, paid a total of P69.04 million “in public funds to Zybermed, for the purchase of” dental supplies, drugs and medicines “even if the purchase is” supposedly “’unnecessary and nonresponsive to the exigencies of the service,’ and despite Zybermed’s” supposed “ineligibility to enter into such transaction... thus,” allegedly “causing undue injury to the government, and giving unwarranted the aforestated amount.”

counts of malversation against Tan, Sabanecio, Detosil, Yboa, Montejo, Abrina and Larce.