A Silay-based drug pusher is now serving his sentence of life imprisonment at the National Penitentiary in Muntinlupa, after he was found guilty beyond reasonable doubt for having in his possession of 2.53 grams of marijuana, police said.

Alberto Premaylon who was charged for violation of Sections 5 and 11 of the Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Drug Act of 2002, was also meted an additional imprisonment of 14 years, aside from the life sentence, by Silay Regional Trial Court Judge Felipe Banzon.

Premaylon was arrested by a team of policemen led by SPO1 Dante Victor Escorpion during a buy-bust operation at Purok Kalubihan, Brgy. Rizal, Silay City, on May 3 last year.

The Department of Health is investigating accusations of irregularities at the Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital by its officials, Assistant Secretary David Lozada, DOH Integrity Development Committee head, said yesterday.

Lozada said he has instructed the Regional IDC to gather documents related to the accusations being hurled. He added that he will visit the hospital himself soon.

So far it appears that the accusations have only been made in the media, since no formal complaints have been filed, he said. Dr. Benito Bionat, CLMMRH chief of clinics and chairman of the hospital's Financial Planning and Management Monitoring Committee, and Brian Baylon, chief administrative officer, have questioned the amount and the alleged irregular purchase of oxygen at the CLMMRH.