FORMER Philippine Coast Guard Admiral Wilfredo Tamayo failed in his bid to challenge the sufficiency of evidence in a graft case filed against him by the Office of the Ombudsman in connection with alleged fraudulent procurement of supplies and equipment for Coast Guard rescue teams 10 years ago.
In a resolution dated July 6, 2020, the Sandiganbayan Fourth Division denied Tamayo’s motion seeking leave of court to file a demurrer to evidence and have the case thrown out due to insufficiency of evidence.
Based on the information filed in 2018, Tamayo was accused of causing undue injury to the government by approving the release of payment totaling P10.64 million to a contractor-supplier even if the delivery was not completed.
Prosecution records showed the Philippine Coast Guard issued a purchase order to Joshwell
Trading for the delivery of various operational supplies and equipment worth P11.244 million in 2008. The purchases were intended for the “training, activation, and equipment” of Task Force Special Maritime Advance Rescue Team.
An inspection conducted by a team of government auditors revealed short deliveries amounting to P.9.95 million that was bolstered by an inventory report on the TF Smart’s equipment as compared to the list in the purchase order.
