Graft raps ordered filed vs Maliksi

MANILA, Philippines - Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales yesterday ordered the filing of graft charges against former Cavite governor Erineo “Ayong” Maliksi for the alleged anomalous purchase of P2.5 million worth of medicine in 2003.

The case stemmed from a complaint filed by former vice governor Juan Victor Remulla in 2005.

In a ruling dated Oct. 22, Morales denied Maliksi’s appeal on the ombudsman’s decision in July, which found probable cause to indict him.

Graft probers said in February 2003, the province of Cavite entered into an agreement with the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) for the purchase of medicine under a P10-million grant.

Records show the first tranche of P2.5 million was released to the provincial government on Feb. 4, 2003.  

Graft investigators discovered that no public bidding was conducted and the supporting documents such as purchase requests, purchase orders, and inspection and acceptance reports show the procurement was made three months prior to the release of the first tranche. 

Morales said Maliksi gave unwarranted advantage to the supplier, Allied Pharmaceutical Laboratories Inc., which was awarded the contract without public bidding and without showing proof that its medicine was the cheapest.

Meanwhile, the complaint against Nina Nguyen Lagac, Maliksi’s former chief of staff, was dismissed for insufficiency of evidence while the administrative charge of grave misconduct against the former governor was dismissed by virtue of his reelection in 2004.