Eight senators have signed the preliminary report of the Senate Blue Ribbon committee report on the alleged overpriced supply of billions of pesos worth COVID-19 medical supplies by the Pharmally Pharmaceutical Corporation to the government.
To make the report official so that it could be submitted to the Senate plenary session, there should be 11 signatures in the 20-member committee chaired by Senator Richard J, Gordon.
Aside from Gordon, the seven others are Senate Minority Leader Franklin M. Drilon and Senators Panfilo M. Lacson, Emmanuel D. Pacquiao, Leila de Lima, Aquilino Pimentel III, Francis Pangilinan and Risa Hontiveros, a reliable source said.
Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph G. Recto said: "I agree with many or most of its findings but not all. Going over the report.’’
Asked if she has signed the partial report sent to her last Tuesday afternoon, Senator Grace Poe said she has not signed it yet.
‘’We were sent a copy last Tuesday afternoon only. I had to attend to PSA bicameral conference committee which was very challenging,’’ she pointed out.
’’In principle I support his (Gordon’s) effort but I told him I will read it first. It’s more than 100 pages long,’ she added.
In his Twitter account, Lacson, vice chairman of the Blue Ribbon committee, said he signed the preliminary report but has strong reservations on the ‘’betrayal of public trust’’ recommendation.
He said he would interpellate Gordon on this issue when the report is submitted to the Senate plenary session.
Hontiveros, for her part, said she supports the partial report but would ask questions during the interpellation period while Pangilinan said he would seek amendments to the report. De Lima will have her own report.
Pacquiao, on the other hand, said he signed the partial report without reservation and that the facts since the start of the investigation are true and should, therefore, be respected.
According to the partial report, President Duterte betrayed public trust when he allegedly protected those linked to the Pharmally controversy and for making a Chinese national, Michael Yang, his adviser.
The report also recommended the filing of plunder charges against Health Secretary Francisco Duque III, officials of Pharmally and others linked to the case.
The Senate and the House of Representatives will go on recess last Thursday for a months-long political campaign leading to the May 2002 elections.
Both legislative chambers resume plenary session on May 23. After two weeks, they will adjourn sine die.