MANILA – The Office of the Ombudsman has reportedly filed a Php 11-billion plunder complaint against 46 individuals in connection with alleged irregularities in the government’s procurement of medical supplies during the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to an October 17, 2026 report, the complaint stems from questionable transactions involving personal protective equipment (PPE), COVID-19 test kits, and other medical supplies purchased during the public health emergency.
The case centers on the controversial Pharmally procurement transactions, which previously drew scrutiny over allegations of overpriced medical supplies and irregularities in the government’s pandemic response spending.
The complaint reportedly involves 46 individuals allegedly linked to the questioned transactions.
The filing marks a development in efforts to establish accountability over government expenditures during the pandemic.
However, the filing of a complaint does not establish criminal liability. Those named in the complaint remain entitled to due process and the opportunity to respond to the allegations.
Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla confirmed the filing on Friday, October 16, identifying former Procurement Service-Department of Budget and Management chief Lloyd Christopher Lao and businessman Michael Yang, a former economic adviser to former President Rodrigo Duterte, among the respondents.
Remulla also disclosed that 23 respondents could not be located at their known addresses despite attempts to find them.
Among those identified were Pharmally chairman Huang Tzu Yen, company president Twinkie Dargani, corporate secretary and treasurer Mohit Dargani, and other individuals associated with the pharmaceutical company.
“All attempts to find them have failed,” Remulla said.
The Ombudsman’s announcement renewed scrutiny of the multibillion-peso procurement transactions that became the subject of investigations during the Duterte administration.
