Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, December 3) – Pharmally Pharmaceutical Corporation president Huang Tzu Yen apologized to senators on Friday for the firm’s failure to properly arrange its financial documents.
“As a company, it is not an excuse (not) to have these things properly documented and filed on-hand ready. I don’t think it is intentional,” Huang said during the latest Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing on the alleged anomalous government procurement of COVID-19 medical supplies.
The Singaporean executive of Pharmally admitted he failed to be efficient in arranging their financial records since they are still a new company.
Huang assured senators that he will cooperate in the ongoing investigation by providing all the records he personally has to aid the probe.
But Huang added he only has a few documents in his possession.
Huang made the apology after Senate Blue Ribbon Committee chairman Sen. Richard Gordon expressed frustration with detained Pharmally executives Mohit Dargani and Linconn Ong, who both failed to provide the documents repeatedly requested by senators regarding the firm’s supply deals.
“Sabi ni (Senate Sergeant of Arms) Samonte, pinapasyal sila. Doon na napatid ang pagtitiwala natin ng lubusan kila Dargani at Ong. Kaya napadala na sila ng tuluyan sa (Senate Sergeant of Arms Samonte said they were given the runaround. That’s when we realized that we do not trust Dargani and Ong. That’s why they were sent to) Pasay City Jail,” said Gordon.
RELATED: Pharmally execs Ong, Dargani transferred to Pasay City Jail
Ong and Dargani remained mum on the location of the documents when they were asked by senators on Friday.
Gordon, addressing Huang, said he should be careful in doing such documentations and persons he’s working with.
“If they cheated the government, it is possible that they cheated on you,” the veteran lawmaker said.
Gordon also quizzed Pharmally accountant Jeff Mariano, who claimed he doesn’t have a copy of the financial statements because those were done manually.
Mariano added he doesn’t know the deals made by Pharmally prior to October 2020, since he joined the company only on that month.
Pharmally is the firm being investigated by the Senate for its over ₱7.2 billion procurement deal with the Department of Budget-Procurement Service office.
The embattled company also has ₱3.4 billion worth of “unsupported” purchases in 2020, including a ₱10.9 million worth of luxury car and supply deals with cargo firms, according to a tax expert who testified at the hearing.
