Thirteen officials of Tarlac City, including department heads and members of the Bids and Awards Committee (BAC), have been preventively suspended for up to six months without pay over alleged irregularities in the procurement of medicines amounting to over ₱100 million in 2017 and 2018.
Ombudsman Samuel Martires signed the eight-page suspension order on July 7, which was endorsed to the city’s human resources office on July 18. The order stemmed from an administrative complaint filed by incumbent city councilors Pee Jay Echalar Basangan and Emily Rosal Ladera-Facunla, along with former vice mayor Genaro Mendoza and former councilors Vladimir San Pedro and Rodriguez Rodriguez. The complaint alleged grave misconduct, gross neglect of duty, serious dishonesty, and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service.
Among those suspended were City Health Officer Ma. Carmela Lacsamana-Go, City Treasurer Agnes Torres, City Accountant Roland Domingo, and Property and Supply Officer Renato Policarpio Jr. BAC officials were also included in the suspension: Chair Romeo de Leon, Vice Chairpersons Jose Dungca and Numer Lobo, Members Lorina Ledesma, Reymar Razon and Emilou Sicangco, Secretariat Head Cesarina Macuha, Technical Working Group Member Tristan Gozum, and Inspection Officer Orlando Gatpolintan.
The Commission on Audit (COA), in a special fraud audit conducted in 2024, found evidence of multiple procurement violations. These included ₱7.09 million worth of overpriced medicines in 2017, ₱843,900 worth of drugs acquired outside the Department of Health’s approved list, and ₱2.8 million worth of medicines with vague or incomplete descriptions. COA also discovered ₱50.83 million worth of ghost deliveries, with payments supported only by certifications from involved officials and no actual proof of delivery or inspection.
The audit further revealed that suppliers for the city’s circumcision program, “Angel’s Cut,” operated without licenses from the Food and Drug Administration and lacked valid business permits. Violations of transparency and eligibility requirements were also noted, with contracts awarded without complete disclosures or proper documentation. The city also failed to maintain inventory and stock records, leaving ₱24.6 million worth of medicines and medical supplies unaccounted for.
COA concluded that the transactions were “irregular and fraudulent,” citing violations of Republic Act No. 9184 or the Government Procurement Reform Act, Republic Act No. 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, and Republic Act No. 7080 or the Anti-Plunder Law.
Although the alleged irregularities occurred during the term of then Mayor Cristy Angeles, now representative of Tarlac’s second district, she was not included in the complaint. Current Tarlac City Mayor Susan Yap, in response, assured full cooperation with the Ombudsman’s investigation and reaffirmed her administration’s commitment to good governance, transparency, and accountability. (Tonette Orejas)
