![“The Pharmally case... there are 46 respondents [in our complaint], kaya medyo matagal. And many of them have become invisible. Para bang they're trying to evade the jurisdiction of this body,” says Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla.](https://www.panaynews.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/plunder_copy_resized_resized-218x150.jpg "Ombudsman presses P11-B Pharmally plunder case But 23 respondents missing— Remulla")
BACOLOD City – Only 34 former drug users in this city were recommended to graduate from the Community-based Drug Rehabilitation Program.
The former job order casual employees of the city government were referred to undergo drug rehabilitation after they tested positive for illegal drug use during a random drug testing last August.
A total of 53 workers tested positive for illegal drug use: 32 from the Bacolod Traffic Authority Office (BTAO) and 21 from the Public Order and Safety Office (POSO).
Primitivo Tabujara, coordinator and focal person of the City Anti-drug Abuse Council (CADAC), said only 11 from POSO and 23 from BTAO were recommended to graduate. Others had missed to attend sessions conducted by the City Health Office at the rehabilitation center.
After graduation, Tabujara added the 34 could still reapply for a job at the city government, but it will be subject to the approval of Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez./PN