The Sandiganbayan has allowed the withdrawal of ₱4 billion worth of graft cases against Pharmally Pharmaceutical Corp. officials involving allegedly anomalous COVID-19 supply procurements.
In an eight-page resolution dated November 7, the court affirmed that the Ombudsman has the authority to revoke or revisit decisions made by predecessors, noting Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla requested the withdrawal for reassessment and reinvestigation.
While the judiciary typically determines probable cause once a case is filed, the court agreed to the pullout, clarifying that it was not due to insufficient evidence but to ensure only well-founded charges proceed.
The Sandiganbayan said this move does not contradict its earlier finding of probable cause, which had justified the issuance of arrest warrants.
The Pharmally cases stemmed from the Duterte administration’s purchase of over ₱8 billion in pandemic supplies from the firm, which had only ₱625,000 in paid-up capital.
Source: PhilNews24 | November 18, 2025
