Former budget undersecretary Christopher Lao has been released after posting a P90,000 bail following his arrest.
Lao, 47, was apprehended by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) on Wednesday morning in Barangay 18B, Obrero, in compliance with an arrest warrant issued by the Sandiganbayan First Division on September 12.
The warrant, issued by Sandiganbayan 1st Division Chairperson Maria Theresa Mendoza-Arcega, was linked to alleged violations of Section 3 of Republic Act 3019, or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, related to the Pharmally controversy.
Ombudsman Samuel Martires had previously confirmed that charges were filed against Lao and former Department of Health Secretary Francisco Duque III in connection with the Pharmally case.