‘GRAVE CRIME’ | Senate panel wants charges filed against Pharmally executives, government officials

October 19, 2021 , 03:47 PM

By Beatrice Puente

(October 19, 2021) – Senators from the blue ribbon committee plan to recommend the filing of possible charges against the individuals involved in the government’s anomalous procurement of COVID-19 supplies, a preliminary report revealed on Tuesday.

Sen. Richard Gordon, who heads the panel, said former Department of Budget and Management (DBM) undersecretary Lloyd Christopher Lao, Deputy Ombudsman Warren Liong, former presidential economic adviser Michael Yang, and Pharmally Pharmaceutical Corporation’s executives could face corruption charges.

But he clarified that the partial report does not indicate an end to the investigation yet.

“Ito pa lang ang unang yugto ng pagpapanagot sa mga taong nangahas magnakaw sa kaban ng bayan habang naghihirap ang mamamayan sa pandemya,” said Gordon in a speech. “Sinusubukan nilang pagtakpan ang kanilang karumal-dumal na krimen. Hindi tayo papayag.”

Lao and Liong, who are known allies of President Rodrigo Duterte, could also face fraud, while Yang and company officers Linconn Ong and Krizle Mago could face perjury for their flip-flopping testimonies. Senators also want to have Yang, the firm’s financier and guarantor, deported as an undesirable alien.

Pharmally treasurer Mohit Dargani, and PS-DBM’s Jorge Mendoza and Mervin Taquintic were also included in the list of accountable individuals. Other charges recommended to be filed include estafa, falsification of public documents, disobedience to summons, and violation of the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act.

“Nadiskubre nating inuna ang kumite at makakuha ng komisyon o kickbacks, instead of coming up with the right way to quell the pandemic,” said Gordon, hitting the “unwarranted benefits” granted to Pharmally Pharmaceutical Corporation.

It bagged at least P8 billion up to P11 billion worth of contracts for face shields, face masks, and test kits despite its meager paid-up capital of P625,000.

Health organizations supported the latest decision to dig deeper into the dubious procurements. Health experts also signed an open letter urging public officials to cooperate with the probe.

“Ang panawagan namin ay for transparency and accountability. We would like to call on the president not to obstruct the testimony of material witnesses,” said Dr. Maricar Limpin of the Philippine College of Physicians.

Dr Limpin: “We decry any attempt to withhold testimonies. Ang panawagan namin ay for transparency and accountability. We would like to call on the President not to obstruct the testimony of material witnesses.” @News5PH @onenewsph

— marie ann los banos (@maeannelosbanos) October 19, 2021

Led by Movement Against Tyranny, concerned individuals like former Vice President Jejomar Binay, former senator Rene Saguisag, Bishop Broderick Pabillo, Bro. Armin Luistro, Bayan Muna chairperson Neri, Atty. Chel Diokno, and former solicitor general Florin Hilbay, to name a few, also rallied behind the senators’ probe.

“We are outraged that funds intended to strengthen the country’s COVID-19 response appear to have been given to favored officials and companies under dubious circumstances,” said the group in a statement.

Department of Health (DOH) secretary Francisco Duque III ignored the scheduled Senate hearing today in compliance with Duterte’s order.

LOOK: Sec Duque’s letter to the Blue Ribbon Committee stating that the DOH will not be able to send representative officials for the 12th hearing of the committee since PRRD directed them to give way to covid 19 response activities. @news5 @onenewsph pic.twitter.com/Yz90CoKQxw

— marie ann los banos (@maeannelosbanos) October 19, 2021

Gordon believes this “grand conspiracy” would not have happened without the “imprimatur” of Duterte, who has repeatedly shielded his allies.

“Imbis na humingi sila ng tawad sa taumbayan ay naririnig natin ang nakaririndi at paulit-ulit nilang pagdadahilan,” said Gordon. “The road is long but we will finish it and we will finish it right.”

(PM | With reports from Maeanne Baños, News 5)

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