Three former PS-DBM execs plead not guilty over alleged overpriced P4.4-B Pharmally purchases

Three former Procurement Service-Department of Budget and Management (PS-DBM) officials have pleaded not guilty on the graft charge in connection with the alleged overpriced purchase of P4.4 billion worth of personal protective equipment and surgical face mask from Pharmally Phamaceutical Corporation during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The three ex-DBM officials who entered the not guilty plea before the Second Division include:

• Allan Raul Catalan
• Dickson Panti and
• Gerelyn Francisco Vergara

Their other co-accused in the case, namely Warren Liong also of the Procurement Service of the DBM, as well as Pharmally officials Mohit Dargani and Linconn Ong, however, did not enter a plea since the anti-graft court has yet to resolve their appeal on an earlier ruling denying their bid to quash the graft charge against them.

In denying their motion to quash, the Sandiganbayan said that "An examination of the Information would show that all the elements [of graft charge is] alleged" and that "it is clear that the Information is sufficient in form and substance."

“The [criminal] information [filed] is valid because it adequately provides the material allegations to apprise the accused of the nature and cause of the charge which allows them to enter a proper plea. However, the burden of proof lies with the prosecution and conspiracy must still be proved with the same quantum of evidence required to establish an element of the offense, that is, by proof beyond reasonable doubt,” the Sandiganbayan said.

Last month, former PS-DBM officials Christopher Lao and Arnold Dupla also pleaded not guilty on the same graft charge. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News