Philippines
National
Gordon to Darganis: Instead of airing false accusations, just submit Pharmally documents
Gordon to Darganis: Instead of airing false accusations, just submit Pharmally documents
Senator Richard Gordon on Friday, Oct. 22 told Mohit Dargani, Pharmally’s corporate secretary and treasurer, to just submit the documents being asked by the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee.
As far as he is concerned, Gordon said Mohit and his sister Twinkle Dargani, Pharmally’s president, has refused to provide the necessary documents subpoenaed by the panel which are significant to the committee’s ongoing investigation into the government’s questionable procurement of COVID-19 pandemic supplies.
“Mr. Dargani, his sister, and all other resource persons invited to the Senate hearing have been treated fairly, as fairly as the circumstances warranted. As Mr. Dargani continued to refuse to give us the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, he left the committee no choice but to use its rarely-used power to cite him for contempt- not to punish him, but to compel him to give us a complete picture of the issue being investigated,” Gordon said in a statement.
“Ferreting out the truth in an investigation, in aid of legislation, is a constitutionally-mandated task, especially for senators who want complete information so that a proper and responsive legislation can be crafted that will be beneficial to all,” he reiterated.
The Darganis have been cited for contempt by the Senate blue ribbon panel and have been ordered detained at the Upper Chamber. However, the Office of the Senate Sergeant at Arms have yet to find the siblings.
Gordon warned that failure of the Darganis to cooperate with the Senate may eventually lead to more serious legal consequences.
“Attending a Senate hearing can be easy and it can be hard. It is hardest when witnesses do not cooperate and do not give or share information necessary to our faithful performance of our tasks,” he said.
“While rarely invoked, the Senate also will not hesitate to use its power of compulsion if, like in this matter, it is given the run-around. The Constitution recognizes and allows this action; the Revised Penal Code and jurisprudence has long approved of this legislative exercise,” Gordon pointed out.
“If he wants to clear the Darganis name, he and his sister should come forward and submit the pertinent documents we are asking from them. But while they continue to hide, people will believe they are as guilty of what they are accused of,” he stressed.