2 cops fined over health screening

MANILA, Philippines — The Sandiganbayan has found two female police colonels guilty of misconduct for allowing a private clinic to screen police recruits in Pampanga in 2010.

Col.  Elizabeth Milanes and Lt. Col. Digna Ambas were ordered to pay a fine of P20,000 each for violating Republic Act (RA) 6713 or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees.

Records showed the officers, along with private respondent Edgar Indiongco, were originally charged with four separate graft cases.

Milanes and Ambas, both officials of the police regional health services at the time, reportedly allowed the clinic to collect over P1.8 million in fees without issuing receipts.

In a ruling dated Nov. 22, the anti-graft court said the clinic was allowed to operate in the police premises without paying rent.

Nursing students were reportedly screening the applicants.

After the presentation of evidence, the accused expressed their intention to enter into a plea bargain deal with the government.

The Sandiganbayan approved the deal after  the ombudsman did not object to it.  

Seventh Division chair Associate Justice Ma. Theresa Dolores Gomez-Estoesta said the accused were re-arraigned and pleaded guilty for violating RA 6713.