Chief of AFP medical Center gets the boot

AFP Medical Center (Wikipedia photo)

MANILA, Philippines – AFP chief Gen. Gregorio Catapang Jr. said that in order to ensure an unbiased outcome of the ongoing investigation into the anomalous purchase of P80 million worth of medical supplies, Armed Forces of the Philippines Medical Center (AFPMC) chief Brig. Gen. Normando Sta. Ana Jr. has been relieved from his post.

Speaking at a press conference in Camp Aguinaldo yesterday, Catapang said: “I asked TJAG (The Judge Advocate General) if there is prima facie evidence to merit an investigation. I was told there is. Since he (Sta. Ana) is being investigated, it would be better if he is not in his post so he can’t influence the investigation.”

Sta. Ana and and three military officers on his staff are under investigation by military authorities for the purchase of P80-million worth of medicine and medical equipment without having gone through the required process of bidding.

The probe was ordered by Catapang after a man identified as Renato Villafuerte made the allegations against Sta. Ana and his staff members, Lt. Col. Florencio Capulong, special disbursing officer; Maj. Neil Bugarin, chief of the management and fiscal office; and Col. Rogelio del Rio, acting assistant chief of staff for logistics.

Villafuerte filed a complaint, in which he claimed that Sta. Ana, Capulong, Bugarin and Rio were in violation of Republic Act 9184, which stipulates laws governing procurement of goods. Villafuerte explained that the four men failed to practice legitimate procurement procedures in the purchase of the medicine and medical equipment, and that Capulong – with the blessing of Sta. Ana – purchased the goods from suppliers in their favor.

The complaint also states that the four AFPMC officials sought the realignment of funds in the amount of P40-million to settle Capulong’s cash advance, as well as debts incurred from ordering supplies without money given up front.

AFP public affairs chief Lt. Col. Harold Cabunoc disclosed that Sta. Ana’s was relieved of his duties effective yesterday, with Col. Benedicto Jovellanos of the Medical Corps named as officer-in-charge of the hospital.

“They should be presumed innocent (until proven guilty) in accordance with our Constitution. The investigation is not yet finished,” Cabunoc, however, pointed out.