Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, February 7) — As the Senate blue ribbon committee’s partial report on the Pharmally controversy struggles to get the approval of the majority, a panel member said she’s open to deleting a portion that seeks charges against President Rodrigo Duterte if it means having the controversial findings adopted by the chamber.
Over the weekend, panel chairman Richard Gordon said at least three senators are hesitant to sign the report due to its recommendation to prosecute Duterte once he steps down from office for his alleged role in the corruption scandal. Gordon did not name names.
On Monday, Gordon’s office released a list of eight signatories so far. Joining Gordon are Senators Panfilo “Ping” Lacson, Manny Pacquiao, Leila de Lima, Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III, Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan, Franklin Drilon, and Risa Hontiveros. Under the Rules of the Senate, a committee report will be deemed approved by a panel once signed by a majority of its members, or 11 senators in the case of the blue ribbon committee.
In a media interview, Hontiveros explained that the committee report may still undergo changes. She said it’s possible to strike out the part that states charges “must be considered” against citizen Duterte.
“Ako basta’t magiging daan para mai-report out ang committee report para ma-adopt ito ng buong Senado even if after interpellation and amendments, bukas ako diyan kasi para sa akin ito at ang lahat pa ng accountabilities ni Presidente ay pwede pa ring habulin, kasuhan at habulin pagkatapos ng kanilang termino,” Hontiveros said.
[Translation: As long as it will pave the way to report out the committee report and have it adopted by the whole Senate even after interpellation and amendments, I am open to that because for me, this and all the accountabilities of the President can be filed after his term.]
Like Gordon, Hontiveros as a reelectionist is not keen on filing the complaint against Duterte herself and instead prefers to continue taking part in the Senate’s oversight function.
Congress resumes sessions on May 23, the earliest date the report can be tackled and approved by the plenary.
Aside from blaming Duterte for allegedly condoning procurement anomalies involving his appointees, the partial report also seeks criminal and administrative charges against Health Secretary Francisco Duque III, resigned Budget Undersecretary Lloyd Christopher Lao, former presidential adviser Michael Yang, and Pharmally officials, among others.
Over P41 billion was transferred to the Budget Department’s Procurement Service, a portion of which was used for supply contracts awarded to Pharmally, a tiny corporation supposedly favored by Lao despite having no track record and insufficient capital. Yang, a Chinese businessman, allegedly helped and financed Pharmally.
Senators Sonny Angara, Grace Poe, and Ralph Recto earlier said they were still studying the report.
