The Commission on Audit (COA) has flagged Tarlac City Mayor Maria Cristina C. Angeles for alleged irregularities in the procurement of over ₱50 million worth of medicines and medical supplies, citing multiple violations of procurement rules.
According to Fraud Audit Report No. 2025-003, the city government purchased ₱843,900 worth of medicines not listed in the Philippine National Formulary (PNF), violating Executive Order No. 49, s. 1993, and Department of Health Administrative Order 2012-0023, which require all government drug purchases to follow the PNF.
COA also reported that ₱50.8 million in contracts for medical, dental, and laboratory supplies were fully paid despite lacking key documentation. One supplier, Theya Enterprises, reportedly had no valid business permit or Food and Drug Administration (FDA) license.
Additionally, auditors noted that ₱33.85 million in checks were issued before corresponding disbursement vouchers were prepared—an irregularity COA said indicates possible fraud.
In the same audit, COA also flagged a ₱91.8 million procurement of school kits as questionable. The checks were received not by the supplier or an authorized representative, but by a city government employee.
The audit recommended accountability measures against Angeles and other officials who approved or implemented the transactions despite the violations.
COA also cited irregularities in road asphalting projects involving Northern Builders, a company owned by Angeles’ spouse. The projects proceeded without approval from the Sangguniang Panglungsod, and COA noted that ₱21.23 million in payments were released before disbursement documents were prepared.
