Ex-Cavite governor faces graft over P2.5 M medicine deal

MANILA, Philippines - Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales has charged with graft  former Cavite Gov. Erineo “Ayong” Maliksi for the irregular procurement of medicines worth P2.5 million in 2003.

 

In an order dated October 22, Ombudsman Morales denied Maliksi’s motion to reconsider the joint resolution last July 8.

 

The joint resolution said that in February 2003, the Cavite provincial government  entered into a Memorandum of Agreement with the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office for the purchase of medicines under a P10 million grant, the first tranche of which in the amount of P2.5 million was released to the province on Feb. 4, 2003.  

 

Ombudsman investigators discovered that no public bidding was held and the supporting documents, such as Purchase Request, Purchase Order, and Inspection and Acceptance Report, show that the procurement was made three months prior to the release of the first tranche.  

 

?On Maliksi’s explanation of an emergency purchase, Ombudsman Morales found “no imminent danger to life and/or property that ought to have been prevented” when the medicines were purchased in time for the Barangay Health Workers National Convention in November 2002.

 

?"The distribution of ordinary medicines during the BHW National Convention is not a project or activity that cannot be delayed without causing detriment to public service,"  the Ombudsman said.

 

The Ombudsman said that Maliksi gave unwarranted advantage or preference to the supplier, Allied Pharmaceutical Laboratories, Inc., which was awarded the government contract without public bidding and without proving that among the suppliers, its medicines cost the cheapest.

 

Meanwhile, the complaint against Nina Nguyen Lagac, Maliksi’s chief of staff, was dismissed for insufficiency of evidence.  

 

The administrative charge of grave misconduct against Maliksi was dismissed due to his reelection in 2004.

 

The graft case stemmed from the complaint filed by former Vice-Gov. Juan Victor Remulla.