Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 31) — Senator Richard Gordon remains hopeful of securing more backing for the Blue Ribbon Committee report that seeks charges against the government’s top officials and personalities involved in the multibillion-peso Pharmally scandal.
“Kung maari sana mahikayat natin pumirma pa ‘yung gustong pumirma,” Gordon, chairperson of the Senate blue ribbon committee, said during his privilege speech on Tuesday.
[Translation: If possible that we could persuade those who are still contemplating to sign (the report).]
The report is seeking charges against President Rodrigo Duterte, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III, and other government officials and Pharmally executives.
At present, only seven regular members are signatories: Gordon, Ping Lacson, Manny Pacquiao, Leila de Lima, Koko Pimentel, Kiko Pangilinan, and Risa Hontiveros.
Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon and Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto are also supporting the report.
It needs a majority vote or nine out of 17 regular members of the committee before it can be brought to the plenary floor.
“I look forward to clarity on the respective positive or negative responses of our Senators… We require your vote, so we can bring Pharmally to the plenary. If you are voting for or against our report, let us make it clear in the record,” Gordon said.
In the latter part of 2021, the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee launched a probe into the “overpricing” of face masks and face shields purchased by the Procurement Service-Department of Budget and Management and the Department of Health.
Pharmally bagged COVID-19 deals worth ₱8.9 billion in 2020.
