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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Senators move to denounce harassment of resource persons in Pharmally probe

Senators move to denounce harassment of resource persons in Pharmally probe

Published Nov 4, 2021 04:10 pm

Senators on Thursday, Nov. 4 have agreed to come up with a resolution that seeks to denounce the harassment of resources persons invited to the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee’s inquiry into the anomalous concerning the government’s purchase of COVID-19 pandemic supplies in 2020.

Senator Francis Pangilinan broached the idea after Raymond “Mon” Abrea, a certified public accountant (CPA), informed the committee that there was a petition filed against him before the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) seeking for the revocation of his license following his testimony before the Senate panel.

Pangilinan said it is important for the Senate to “stand behind those who wanted the truth,” pointing out that Abrea’s testimony was crucial as he helped guide the Senate in understanding the financial records of Pharmally Pharmaceutical Corporation.

He said the complaint against Abrea was “frivolous” and is intended to intimidate, sow fear, and prevent the Senate from uncovering the truth.

“We stand by Mr. Abrea and other civic-minded citizens who wanted the truth and are speaking out because truth is vital to our investigation. We will support Mr. Abrea in the complaint...,” Pangilinan said during the 14th hearing of the committee.

Sen. Risa Hontiveros agreed with Pangilinan’s suggestion as she also expressed support to Abrea.

Hontiveros acknowledged that she too was clearly subjected to harassment following the filing of sedition charges against her by Pharmally executives after one of the witnesses who testified against the company is now accusing her forcing him to lie in exchange for financial assistance.

Sen. Richard Gordon, who chairs the blue ribbon panel, agreed with Pangilinan’s suggestion saying “no government (agency) should try and muffle a decent individual who was just trying to explain, and trying to harass him to submission and not cooperate.”

“That is why a letter is necessary to be given to the PRC... and this must be resolved or at least, pending the completion of all this investigation,” Gordon said.

Gordon also said the Philippine Red Cross (PRC), the humanitarian organization which he chairs, has also subjected to harassment.

“I just want you to know that we share the kind of harassment for that matter, even the Red Cross, sabi nung nag-atake sa Kongreso, mali raw ang testing namin (someone from Congress attacked us saying our testing was wrong),” Gordon pointed out.

“Ngunit matapos ang isang buwang imbestigasyon ng RITM, (the found out) it was valid and reliable (But after a month of investigation by the Research Institute of Tropical Medicine, they found out it was valid and reliable. Pinipwersa nila na humanap ng butas (They are forcing themselves to find fault),” he added.

“Gano’n na rin ang ginagawa ngayon kay Sen. Hontiveros at yan ang ginagawa sa ating lahat dito at yan din ang ginawa sa COA na ihulog sa hagdanan ang mga ‘yan (They are doing the same thing to Sen. Hontiveros, and to all of us here, and even to the Commission on Audit). So there is really a pattern),” Gordon stressed.

Related Tags

Senate blue ribbon committee Risa Hontiveros Kiko Pangilinan Pharmally probe richard gordon harassment
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