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Advocates Philippines
Ombudsman Recommends Filing Of Graft, Falsification Charges Against Former DepEd Chief Briones, Former DBM Usec. Lao Over P4-B Laptop, Internet Load Program
FILE
The Office of the Ombudsman has recommended the filing of criminal charges against former Education Secretary Leonor Briones, former Budget Undersecretary Lloyd Christopher Lao, and several other former Department of Education (DepEd) and Department of Budget and Management (DBM) officials in connection with the controversial P4-billion laptop procurement and internet load distribution program for students.
In a resolution dated July 2025, the Ombudsman found probable cause to charge Briones, Lao, and at least a dozen other former officials with violations of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act and falsification of public documents under the Revised Penal Code.
The charges stem from alleged irregularities in the implementation of the DepEd’s program intended to provide laptops and mobile internet load to public school students at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the Ombudsman, the procurement process and the eventual awarding of the contract involved “non-compliant bidders” and manipulated documentation, which resulted in overpriced laptops and questionable disbursements of funds.
The resolution noted that former DepEd Undersecretary Annalyn Sevilla was “deeply involved” in negotiations with DBM officials, including Lao and DBM’s legal department, over key provisions of the memorandum of agreement (MOA) that formalized the procurement. Sevilla even admitted under oath during a Senate hearing that she reviewed the financial terms of the MOA, despite her earlier claims to the contrary.
Likewise, members of DepEd’s Special Bids and Awards Committee (SBAC) were cited for approving the awarding of the contract to a bidder that did not meet the required specifications. The Ombudsman emphasized that this amounted to an abandonment of their duty to ensure compliance with procurement rules.
Among those recommended to be charged alongside Briones and Lao are former DepEd officials Annalyn Macam Sevilla, Alain Del Bustamante Pascua, Salvador Cacatian Malana III, Marcelo Bragado, Alec Ladanga, and several others.
The case has drawn public attention as it underscores long-standing concerns about corruption in government procurement processes — particularly in pandemic-era emergency spending meant to benefit students forced into distance learning.
The Ombudsman’s findings now pave the way for formal charges to be filed with the Sandiganbayan, where the former officials will have an opportunity to defend themselves.
This development serves as another reminder of the importance of transparency and accountability, especially in programs intended to support education and social services.
In a resolution dated July 2025, the Ombudsman found probable cause to charge Briones, Lao, and at least a dozen other former officials with violations of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act and falsification of public documents under the Revised Penal Code.
The charges stem from alleged irregularities in the implementation of the DepEd’s program intended to provide laptops and mobile internet load to public school students at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the Ombudsman, the procurement process and the eventual awarding of the contract involved “non-compliant bidders” and manipulated documentation, which resulted in overpriced laptops and questionable disbursements of funds.
The resolution noted that former DepEd Undersecretary Annalyn Sevilla was “deeply involved” in negotiations with DBM officials, including Lao and DBM’s legal department, over key provisions of the memorandum of agreement (MOA) that formalized the procurement. Sevilla even admitted under oath during a Senate hearing that she reviewed the financial terms of the MOA, despite her earlier claims to the contrary.
Likewise, members of DepEd’s Special Bids and Awards Committee (SBAC) were cited for approving the awarding of the contract to a bidder that did not meet the required specifications. The Ombudsman emphasized that this amounted to an abandonment of their duty to ensure compliance with procurement rules.
Among those recommended to be charged alongside Briones and Lao are former DepEd officials Annalyn Macam Sevilla, Alain Del Bustamante Pascua, Salvador Cacatian Malana III, Marcelo Bragado, Alec Ladanga, and several others.
The case has drawn public attention as it underscores long-standing concerns about corruption in government procurement processes — particularly in pandemic-era emergency spending meant to benefit students forced into distance learning.
The Ombudsman’s findings now pave the way for formal charges to be filed with the Sandiganbayan, where the former officials will have an opportunity to defend themselves.
This development serves as another reminder of the importance of transparency and accountability, especially in programs intended to support education and social services.
Jul 11, 2025
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