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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Hontiveros: Senate protection assured for witness vs Pharmally who fears for life

Hontiveros: Senate protection assured for witness vs Pharmally who fears for life

Published Oct 5, 2021 01:18 pm

One of the witnesses in the Senate blue ribbon committee’s investigation into the government’s procurement of allegedly overpriced COVID-19 pandemic supplies is now fearing for his life, Senator Risa Hontiveros said on Tuesday, Oct. 5.

During the 11th hearing of the Senate panel, Hontiveros said the Senate is ready to provide the witness protection if sought. The witness, a warehouse officer of Pharmally Pharmaceutical Corporation, testified before the Blue Ribbon Committee that they were told by the management to repack dirty and soiled face shields that would be delivered to the government. After testifying against the firm, the witness said he learned that two motorcycle-riding men were asking around his neighborhood about him.

Screenshots shared by the senator showed that the witness’s friend had told him two men riding a motorcycle were out looking for him.

The motorcycle-riding men also allegedly offered to give the witness’s friend P2,000 in exchange for information on where he lives.

“That is why, he is now fearing for his life,” Hontiveros told Senate probers.

Hontiveros also said the male warehouse worker has executed his own affidavit under oath and this has been submitted to the Senate committee.

“The witness has given us permission to share these screenshots po. Siya po ay natatakot para sa kanyang buhay dahil mayroon pong nakamotor na pinaghahanap siya (He is now afraid for his life because of these motorcycle riding men who are out looking for him),” she said.

“As far as I am concerned, the witness’s statement was corroborated by Krizle Mago’s unrehearsed before this Chamber. But I would like these threats to be placed on the record,” Hontiveros added.

Pharmally’s regulatory affairs head, Krizle Grace Mago, had earlier confirmed the witness’s testimony at the Senate and said she was ordered to tamper the production certificates of the face shields changing it from 2020 to 2021 to make it appear they were newly manufactured.

Mago, however, recanted her statement during a House hearing last October 4.

Related Tags

Senate probe Senate blue ribbon committee Risa Hontiveros Pharmally Pharmaceutical overpriced COVID-19 supplies
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