Sandigan finds enough graft evidence vs. PNP Region 3 execs

The Sandiganbayan has found sufficient evidence against two officials of the Philippine National Police's Regional Health Service (PNP RHS) in Region 3 for allegedly allowing a diagnostic laboratory to operate free of rent in 2010.

A minute resolution from the Seventh Division ruled to deny the motion for leave to file demurrer to evidence of then-Senior Superintendents Elizabeth Milanes and Digna Olivares-Ambas.

"The grounds alleged in the motions are best considered when the cases are submitted for judgment. They already call for an appreciation of the probative worth of the testimonial and documentary evidence presented by the prosecution," the Sandiganbayan said.

Milanes and Ambas were each charged with four counts of graft when they allowed E. Indiongco Diagnostic Laboratory, owned by their co-accused Edgar Indiongco, to operate inside the premises of the RHS3.

The prosecution said the laboratory collected payments worth P1.868 million from PNP applicants in November and December of 2010 but was unable to pay any rental fees.

The prosecution said the facility occupied 10 square meters of space inside the RHS3 office, which could have been used for more beneficial purposes. Milanes and Ambas also allegedly allowed E. Indiongco to operate without the conduct of a public bidding.

Furthermore, the two PNP officials supposedly allowed on-the-job trainees to conduct the medical screening of PNP applicants without the supervision of RHS3 personnel.

Milanes and Ambas both claimed they had no personal knowledge of the alleged illegal transaction nor the presence of nursing students in the RHS3, but the Sandiganbayan said these are best determined during the trial.

"The court needs only evaluate the sufficiency of the evidence presented by the prosecution. It is this evidence which the accused should now refute through the presentation of their evidence," the Sandiganbayan said. —KBK, GMA News