Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 23) — Even with the preventive suspension order on several government officials involved in the Pharmally mess, Senate Deputy Minority Leader Risa Hontiveros on Thursday called for a wider probe that will pinpoint masterminds behind the allegedly anomalous pandemic supply deals.
Hontiveros welcomed the March 20 suspension order of the Office of the Ombudsman, saying it “validated our Senate findings that the evidence of guilt is strong.”
“My hope is that the investigation will also look into the masterminds behind this modus, well beyond the foot soldiers and mid-level officials,” Hontiveros said. “Although the Ombudsman order only covers the COVID-19 test kits, we look forward to an investigation of the PPEs (personal protective equipment) and other overpriced procurements.”
The order stemmed from an administrative case filed against 33 past and present procurement service and health officials “for grave misconduct, gross neglect of duty, serious dishonesty, and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service” over three deals with Pharmally Pharmaceutical.
This was triggered by the investigation in aid of legislation conducted by the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, chaired by then Sen. Richard Gordon, in the previous Congress.
The transactions were for a combined 51,400 units of RT-PCR test kits, with costs totaling over ₱4 billion. Two deals were signed in April 2020 while one was dated June 2020.
When asked if she believes former Health Secretary Francisco Duque III and former President Rodrigo Duterte were among the masterminds, Hontiveros told reporters: “Sa pananaw ko ha at bunga ng aming imbestigasyon, kasama si dating DOH (Department of Health) Secretary Duque. Kung kasama o hindi si dating Presidente Duterte, up to that point in time na finile namin ‘yong Senate Blue Ribbon Committee report, arguable na wala pa kaming sapat na ebidensiya at that point in time laban sa dating presidente.”
“Liban na lang kung any ongoing Ombudsman investigation o special COA (Commission on Audit) audit ay may maipakita sa aspetong iyon,” she added.
[Translation: In my view and from our investigation, former DOH Secretary Duque is included. If former President Duterte is included or not, it’s arguable that we had insufficient evidence at that point of filing the Senate blue ribbon committee report to implicate him. Unless, any ongoing Ombudsman investigation or special audit from COA could show something on that aspect.]
The senator noted that the COA’s special audit on government transactions with Pharmally “will paint an even fuller picture.” The findings have yet to be released.
Hontiveros said should any new matter arise, she can file a resolution to reopen the Senate investigation into the Pharmally deals.
Regret on the delays?
The Ombudsman probe and preventive suspension order, she added, were a significant move forward, a partial victory for stakeholders, and “just the beginning.” She said the delay was not regrettable as it showed institutions were doing their best to work.
READ: From COA to Congress: A look into govt’s questionable pandemic deals
For Gordon, it was a “fitting culmination” to the Blue Ribbon committee’s “colossal efforts,” which held 18 hearings to expose the anomalous purchases of pandemic supplies.
“This Ombudsman’s order is despite the fact that the Committee Report was not approved during the 18th Congress. It is a vindication of those courageous senators who signed our ‘draft’ report,” the former senator said in a statement.
\”Having the 33 involved officials suspended is a fantastic start towards achieving justice, but it does not stop there,\” Gordon added. \”We should all clamor that criminal and administrative charges be filed against them, including the non-government officials [who were] masterminds behind the anomalies: Yang Hong Ming (aka Michael Yang), Lin Wei Xiong, Linconn Ong, and Mohit Dargani.\”
Senate Minority Leader Koko Pimentel, who also lauded the Ombudsman, stressed that the preventive suspensions are only “to prevent those still in public office from influencing the ongoing investigation and case buildup.”
“Hence we still have to constantly monitor the [Ombudsman’s] actions and final decision on this matter,” Pimentel said.
“Ito kasi suspension lang, we need to pursue pa para malaman natin who is accountable, sinong may kagagawan nito at ultimately matanggal sa trabaho o makulong,” said Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian, who did not sign the committee report recommending the filing of criminal charges against those linked to the scandal.
[Translation: This is only suspension, we need to pursue more to know who is accountable, who’s behind this, and ultimately get fired or imprisoned.]
