No bail for 2 pharmacists who took P288T cash sales

CEBU, Philippines - The prosecutor’s office has recommended no bail against two pharmacists accused of stealing daily cash sales of a drugstore.

Prosecutor II Ramon Caresma held former branch head pharmacist Judy Etcuban and pharmacist Gemma Alarde of Botikang Pinoy (BP) Incorporation for qualified theft.

“…that a subpoena was sent to the accused to inform them of the accusation against them and were given the chance to submit controverting evidence; that based on the affidavit of complainant and witnesses there is a reasonable ground to believe that the crime of qualified theft has been committed and that the accused are probably guilty thereof,” read the document.

Deputy operations manager of Botikang Pinoy, Inc., Elisa Castro, alleged that their former employees, Etcuban and Alarde, assigned at their Cebu City Medical Center Branch, carted away their cash sales on May 2, May 7 to 20, May 23 to 25, June 5 and 6 and June 20 all in 2013 amounting to P288,809.

“A review of the Passbook of BP with Metrobank Capitol Branch for the dates commencing on May 2, 2013 to June 28, 2013 reveals no deposits of the daily cash sales appearing on the logbook entries/pages, thus conforming the audit report of Mr. RaffyTudillo,” the complaint read.

Castro alleged Etcuban owned up to the act of taking the cash sales on June 20, 2013 after a cash count audit on June 22, 2013.

Etcuban reportedly submitted an explanation why there were undeposited cash sales on May 2 to 25, 2013. She and Alarde admitted that they took and used the cash sale for personal purposes.

Caresma ordered Etcuban and Alarde to submit their respective counter-affidavits to answer the allegations filed against them but the two failed present any.

“Respondents failed to adduce controverting evidence despite being subpoenaed. Accordingly, and there being probable cause to hold both respondents for trial for qualified theft committed in conspiracy with each other from the uncontested evidence on hand,” read the resolution. — (FREEMAN)