2 PNP execs face raps over medical exam scam

MANILA, Philippines - The Office of the Ombudsman ordered yesterday the filing of charges against two police officials in connection with a medical examination anomaly in 2010.

Superintendents Elizabeth Milanes and Digna Ambas of the Philippine National Police (PNP) Health Service will be indicted for four counts of graft before the Sandiganbayan.

The police officials were found guilty of grave misconduct and meted the accessory penalties of dismissal from government service, perpetual disqualification from holding public office, cancellation of eligibility and forfeiture of retirement benefits. 

The PNP Regional Investigation and Detective Management Group said Milanes and Ambas manipulated the results of the medical examination of applicants to the police force during their term at the PNP  health unit in Central Luzon.

Graft probers said many applicants were disqualified without being given copies of the results.

At least 41 police trainees said they paid for the medical examinations and vaccines without any official receipt.Trainees conducted the medical screenings without supervision from the regional health office, they added.

Eduardo Indiongco, owner of a diagnostic laboratory that conducted the medical examinations, was named a respondent in the case.

Graft probers said the police officials gave ”unwarranted benefit” to Indiongco when they allowed him to collect payments from the applicants amounting to P1,868,050.