Police officials indicted for medical exam fraud
The Ombudsman is set to file graft charges against two police officials for allegedly manipulating the medical examination results of applicants in the Philippine National Police (PNP).
In a statement on Friday, the Office of the Ombudsman said it found probable cause to file four counts of violation of Section 3(e) of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act against P/Supt. Elizabeth Milanes and P/Supt. Digna Ambas of the PNP Health Service.
According to the investigation by the PNP Regional Investigation and Detective Management Group in 2010, Milanes and Ambas of the Regional Health Service 3 manipulated the medical examination results of police applicants.
At least 41 applicants also testified that they paid for the medical examinations and vaccines with cash without being issued any official receipts.
Several police applicants were also disqualified without being given copies of the results.
The medical screenings were also done by on-the-job trainees without the supervision of the organic personnel in the PNP Health Service.
The Ombudsman also included in the graft charge Eduardo Indiongco of Indiongco Laboratory, which was given undue advantage by Milanes and Ambas when they allowed the laboratory to conduct the medical exams without the benefit of public bidding.
Indiongco was allowed to use office space for free.
The police officials also allowed Indiongco to collect payments from the applicants, which amounted to P1.8 million.
The Ombudsman in the resolution said “respondents Milanes and Ambas gave Indiongco unwarranted benefit when they allowed him to collect payments from PNP applicants in the total amount of P1,868,050.00 without issuing any official receipt.”
On top of the criminal charges, Milanes and Ambas were also found administratively liable by the Ombudsman and found guilty of grave misconduct.
They were ordered dismissed from the service and meted out with the accessory penalties of perpetual disqualification from holding public office, cancellation of eligibility and forfeiture of retirement benefits./rga
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