3 days ago
Lao, Dupla plead not guilty on graft raps over P4.4-B PPEs, masks purchase
Former Department of Budget and Management (DBM) officials Christopher Lao and Arnold Dupla pleaded not guilty Thursday on the graft charge involving alleged anomalous purchase of P4.4 billion worth of medical supplies during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Lao and Dupla entered their not guilty pleas in person before the Sandiganbayan Fifth Division.
Before entering his not guilty plea, Lao informed the anti-graft court that he was waiving his right for the reading of the allegations in the graft charge.
Lao's position was adopted by Dupla.
Lao and Dupla both used to be part of the DBM's Procurement Services unit which purchased alleged overpriced personal protective equipment and surgical masks worth P4.4 billion from Pharmally Pharmaceutical Corporation.
Lao served as the DBM's Undersecretary while Dupla was PS-DBM Administrative Finance Group officer-in-charge director.
Other DBM officials during the time of the P4.4 billion purchase who are also accused in the case include: Warren Liong, Allan Catalan, Dickson Tindugan Panti and Gerelyn Vergara.
Pharmally officials also charged with graft include:
Mohit Chainani Dargani
Linconn Uy Ong
Twinkle Dargani
Huang Tzu Yen
Justine Garado
Krizle Mago
Lin Weixiong
The rest of the respondents in the case have yet to enter their pleas due to pending motions to quash the graft charge, except for Pharmally's Twinkle Dargani, Huang, Garado, Mago and Lin who are all at large. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News
