MANILA — Former Department of Budget and Management (DBM) procurement officer Webster Laureñana has been cleared by the Court of Appeals (CA) of administrative charges connected to COVID-19 supply contracts, while other ex-DBM officials remain dismissed.
The CA’s 15th Division issued its 49-page decision on March 31, granting Laureñana’s petition for review and dismissing claims of grave misconduct, gross neglect, and serious dishonesty against him.
“The evidence presented is insufficient to sustain administrative liability,” the appellate court stated.
Conversely, the court upheld the Ombudsman’s earlier findings against former Budget undersecretary Lloyd Christopher Lao and officials Warren Rex Liong, Christine Marie Suntay, Augusto Ylagan, and Amado Tandoc III. The CA ruled that the proceedings were properly conducted, countering claims that the referral letters from Senators Richard Gordon and Risa Hontiveros were inadequate.
The decision also reinforced the Ombudsman’s determination that Pharmally Pharmaceutical Corporation lacked the necessary qualifications under emergency procurement rules. The firm, incorporated in September 2019 with a paid-up capital of P625,000, had no prior experience appropriate for the contracts awarded.
“During a national health crisis, any misuse of official power for personal gain is particularly reprehensible,” the CA said, underscoring the importance of integrity and accountability in public service.
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