Samar lawmaker suspended

MANILA, Philippines — The Sandiganbayan has ordered Rep. Milagrosa Tan of the second district of Samar suspended in connection with the allegedly anomalous procurement of medicine and dental supplies when she was governor.

In a resolution obtained by journalists yesterday, the anti-graft court suspended Tan for 90 days, pending trial of the criminal cases filed against her including eight counts of violation of Republic Act 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act and five counts of malversation.

Filed by the Office of the Ombudsman in Nov. 2017, the cases against Tan stemmed from the purchase by the provincial government of P69-million worth of medicine and dental supplies when she was governor from 2005 to 2007.

The ombudsman said the Commission on Audit found several irregularities in the procurement.

The Sandiganbayan cited Section 13 of RA 3019, which mandates the suspension of any government official charged with violations of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act and Revised Penal Code, or any offense involving public funds or property and fraud.

The court said that since Tan and her co-accused were arraigned on June 22, the validity of the information of the cases has been affirmed.

Aside from Tan, ordered suspended were provincial treasurer Bienvenido Zabanecio Jr., general service officer-in-charge Ariel Yboa and supply officer George Abrina.

Two other accused, former provincial administrative officer Rolando Montejo and accountant Francisco Detosil have retired from government service.          

The anti-graft court rejected Tan’s argument that she could not be suspended as she is no longer governor and has no access to records that could be used as evidence against her.