AFP hospital revamp: 3 more sacked

From the Manila Standard Today (Oct 16): AFP hospital revamp: 3 more sacked

Armed Forces Chief  Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr. has revamped the AFP Medical Center and sacked three more hospital officers after ousting their  commander following charges of irregular purchase of supplies.

Ordered relieved were special disbursing officer Lieutenant Colonel Florencio Ritchie I. Capulong, management and fiscal Office chief Major Neil D. Bugarin, and acting chief of logistics Colonel Rogelio S. Del Rio.

Earlier, Catapang fired Brig. Gen. Normado T. Sta. Ana Jr. as AFPMC commander  who was being investigated for allegedly using P80 million to buy medical supplies without a public bidding.

“There was a complaint file before the Office of the Ombudsman,” Catapang told reporters in Camp Aguinaldo.
             
“I asked the TJAG [The Judge Advocate General] and the office said there is a prima facie evidence, so I ordered him relieved from his position as he might bungle the ongoing investigation.

The complainant Renato Villafuerte filed a case  before the Office of the  Ombudsman alleging that the four military officers might have conspired in the purchase of medical supplies worth P80 million without the government’s required public bidding.

He claimed only “favored” suppliers were able to corner the multi-million project.

According to AFP Public Affairs Office chief Lt. Col. Harold Cabunoc, Catapang issued the relief orders of Del Rio, Capulong and Bugarin on Tuesday night.

“Their relief orders are effective  Wednesday,” Cabunoc told Standard Today.

Catapang on Monday ordered an investigation of Sta. Ana’s case, basing his order  on an alleged irregular purchase of medical supplies  involving the head of the AFP Medical Center and three other officials.

Sta. Ana is said to be an adopted member of the Philippine Military Academy Class of 1981 of which Catapang is a member.

There is talk that Col. Joseph Acosta, the AFP Medical Corps chief, is being eyed to replace Sta. Ana.

 It was learned that the “parallel investigation” by the AFP headquarters had been going on for more than two weeks, but the military continued to keep secret the composition of the investigating body.

http://manilastandardtoday.com/2014/10/16/afp-hospital-revamp-3-more-sacked/