Lacson signs Pharmally report ‘with reservations’

MANILA, Philippines — Senators have found generally acceptable the findings of a Senate committee on the alleged anomaly in the P42-billion deal of the government with Pharmally Pharmaceutical Corp. on the procurement of COVID-19 supplies and equipment.

Sen. Panfilo Lacson said he signed “with strong reservations” the Senate Blue Ribbon committee report on the Pharmally probe, as he wanted to clarify the issue on “betrayal of public trust.”

In his Twitter account, Lacson posted that he would like to interpellate Sen. Richard Gordon, the committee chairman, who presided over 18 hearings and prepared the partial report that contained the recommendation to file charges against those involved in the alleged irregularity.

“I signed the committee report as Blue Ribbon vice-chairman but with strong reservations on the ‘betrayal of public trust’ comment/recommendation. I will also interpellate in case it is reported out for plenary deliberations to clarify its findings,” Lacson said in his post.

Sen. Risa Hontiveros said she also signed the committee report and voiced intention to also interpellate Gordon on some matters.

“I have signed and expressed support for the partial report. I also stated that I may interpellate upon receipt of the full report, which I look forward to reading,” Hontiveros said.

“I agree with many or most of its findings but not all. Going over the report,” Sen. Ralph Recto said.

Sen. Grace Poe has yet to sign the report but expressed support for it.

“Not yet, haven’t read it because of all the bills I had to attend to. In principle, I support his effort but I told him I will read it first. It’s more than 100 pages long. We were sent a copy last Tuesday afternoon only. I had to attend to PSA (Public Service Act) bicam which was very challenging,” Poe noted.

The committee has recommended that charges be filed against President Duterte once he steps down from office. Also recommended for prosecution for plunder and other criminal cases were Health Secretary Francisco Duque III and other government officials as well as executives of Pharmally. Speaking from Iloilo City, Duque said he is ready to refute the committee’s findings. He stressed that the findings were not conclusive.

Meanwhile, Gordon said Pharmally executives Mohit Dargani and Linconn Ong might remain in the custody of the Senate and be detained in Pasay City, until the end of the 18th Congress or until June 30.

Gordon and other senators expressed belief that the two remained evasive during questioning.

Gordon released a 113-page “partial” report on the inquiry into the alleged corruption surrounding the procurement of pandemic supplies. The committee, based on the report, also recommended the deportation of Duterte’s former adviser Michael Yang for involvement in the transactions.

The report stated that Duterte threatened and attacked senators, defied the Constitution particularly when he ordered agencies not to follow the Commission on Audit, led the defense of those tagged in the alleged anomalies, betrayed public trust and allowed a foreign national to be involved in public contracts.

“At the very least, the President has betrayed public trust. His threats, his non-action on this gargantuan scam – and in a time of grave danger, his cover-up efforts, his tyrannical use of presidential powers,” the report stated, citing his order to ban officials and employees from participating in the hearings. “Worse, the President possibly broke the law by tolerating this greatest of scams that has resulted in untold human tragedy.” – Jennifer Rendon