CIDG XI arrests lawyer Lloyd Lao linked to Pharmally Scam

DAVAO CITY – Lawyer Lloyd Christopher Lao, a former official of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) implicated in the Pharmally Pharmaceuticals scandal, was apprehended on Wednesday around 10:00 AM as he sought to post bail in court.

“Naaresto sa kasong Graft and Corruption, nasa court na actually, kasi nag try sya na mag-bail  and hindi niya alam nandoon ang CIDG personnel inaabangan sya (He was arrested in the Graft and Corruption case, he was actually in court, because he tried to bail and he didn’t know CIDG personnel were there waiting for him),” Police Lieutenant Colonel Marlon Pagaduan, director of CIDG XI told Newsline Philippines.

Lao cooperatively submitted to the arrest and was escorted to the CIDG regional office for processing. Pagaduan revealed that CIDG operatives had monitored Lao since Tuesday in anticipation of the arrest.

By 2:00 PM the same day, Lao successfully posted bail amounting to ₱90,000 for temporary liberty.

“The bail amount is set at ₱90,000 for this case, and he promptly fulfilled the requirement. It appears he was prepared, likely anticipating the impending arrest warrant and having his paperwork in order beforehand,” Pagaduan remarked.

At approximately 5:10 PM, Lao was released from CIDG custody.

The CIDG executed the arrest warrant issued by Maria Theresa Mendoza-Arcega, chairperson of the First Division of the Sandiganbayan in Quezon City on September 12, 2024.

Lao is now facing charges under Section 3 (e) of Republic Act 3019, the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, in connection to the Pharmally scandal.

The scandal involved allegations of overpricing and corruption in government contracts during the pandemic, prompting significant public interest and scrutiny, shedding light on accountability concerns within the government procurement process.