PUSHING THROUGH | Senators can revive Pharmally probe if new matters arise, says Hontiveros

June 3, 2022 , 11:49 AM

By Beatrice Puente

(June 3, 2022) – Sen. Risa Hontiveros on Thursday said lawmakers can revive the investigation into the controversial deals awarded to Pharmally Pharmaceutical Corporation if they would be able to find new matters related to the corruption scandal.

Hontiveros, a minority senator, said she respects the decision of her colleagues who refused to sign the committee report, but she stressed that the efforts did not go to waste.

“No matter how disappointing it may be for some of us, basta’t para sa akin, walang nasasayang na mabuting trabaho o mabuting gawa. Maraming nabunyag na findings ang Pharmally investigation na ‘yan,” said Hontiveros on One PH’s Sa Totoo Lang.

On Tuesday, Sen. Richard Gordon criticized his colleagues who decided not to sign the panel report on the probe after several months of hearings he led under the blue ribbon committee. Gordon, who lost his reelection bid, asked his fellow senators to reveal their stand on the issue.

Only nine senators, including Hontiveros, signed the 113-page draft report, falling short of two more signatures before it can be formally sponsored and discussed at the plenary level.

Gordon’s committee report recommended the filing of charges not only against officials of Pharmally Pharmaceutical Corporation but also against President Rodrigo Duterte once he steps down from office. Duterte has repeatedly lambasted Gordon for pushing through with the investigation as he defended his cohorts embroiled in the controversy.

“I am doing this as a chairman in quandary. I respect my fellow members. I respect the Filipino people. We cannot shirk from our responsibilities or our duty to act on a committee report by not signing it, either in agreement or disagreement,” said Gordon in a privilege speech.

But Senate Majority Floor Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri, along with Sen. Win Gatchalian, wanted to have the recommended charges against Duterte dropped before affixing his signature. Zubiri, who’s poised to become Senate president, said he believes the tough-talking leader was only accused through association.

Michael Yang, the former economic adviser of Duterte, was the alleged financier and guarantor of Pharmally Pharmaceutical Corporation, which secured at least P8.6 billion worth of deals to provide face masks, face shields, and test kits at the height of the COVID-19 crisis. It only had a capital of P625,000.

Two company officials, director Linconn Ong and secretary Mohit Dargani, were released from Pasay City Jail on Thursday after being detained for seven months due to their contempt order.

“Nakaka-shock at nakakagalit ang anumang graft and corruption sa limitadong pondo ng gobyerno na mas lalo dapat iniingatan at ginagamit lamang para sa kapakanan ng ating mga kababayan,” said Hontiveros.

Hontiveros, meanwhile, added that she and Sen. Koko Pimentel III are talking to other possible members of the minority to push for their legislative agenda that seeks to prioritize the interest of the marginalized sectors,

(PM)

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