The House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability has recommended charges of syndicated estafa against six officials of Pharmally Pharmaceutical Corporation.
This followed the conduct of several hearings on the alleged overpriced medical supplies procured by the government for the country’s COVID-19 response.
Among those recommended to be filed charges before the Department of Justice are Huang Tzu Yen, Mohit Dargani, Twinkle Dargani, Lincoln Ong, Justine Garado, and Krizle Grace Mago.
Controversial personalities during the hearings such as Michael Yang and former Procurement Service – Department of Budget Management (PS-DBM) official Lloyd Christopher Lao were not recommended for the filing of charges.
“Ang sagot ko po diyan sa tanong niyo kay Michael Yang and Christopher Lao, insufficiency of evidence. The evidence does not warrant or is not enough for cases to hold,” committee chairperson Rep. Mike Aglipay said.
“Sabi ko nga po noong nag-umpisa tayo ng hearing na ‘to, paglabas ko ng findings ko, lahat po ng rekomenda diyan, sigurado na mahahatulan na guilty,” he added.
The filing of charges for falsification of public documents against Jorge Mendoza II and Mervin Ian Tanquintic of the PS-DBM Inspection Division was also recommended before the Office of the Ombudsman.
The Committee also recommended abolishing PS-DBM “to streamline government functions and services,” saying that “PS-DBM has outlived its purpose considering that all agencies now have their own procurement department and BAC.”
Atty. Ferdinand Topacio, legal counsel of Lincoln Ong and Mohit Dardani, said they “will await whatever action the national prosecution service will make.”
“[We] will freely participate doon po sa preliminary investigation kung saan alam po namin ang aming fundamental rights under our Constitution, ang aming fundamental rights under the rules of court ay gagalangin po,” he said.
Despite the recommendations, the committee said “there was no overpricing in the purchase of materials, supplies, and equipment by the PS-DBM on behalf of DOH [Department of Health].”
“The procedure on emergency procurement pursuant to Bayanihan Act One undertaken by the PS-DBM as guided by GPPB Circular No. 01-2020 was consistent with applicable rules and regulations. There was nothing irregular nor illegal in the procedure applied by PS-DBM.” – Report from Daniel Manalastas/AG
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