The incarcerated officials of Pharmally Pharmaceutical Corp. deserve no pity after siphoning P12-billion off the national coffers, Sen. Richard Gordon said.
Gordon, chairman of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, said this in response to Linconn Ong and Mohit Dargani's recent plea to Senate President Vicente Sotto III asking for their release.
“They stole from us. They stroll in their Lamborghinis and their Porsches. It is only the tip of the iceberg. And they collaborated with corrupt officials off the government appointed by the President to steal practically almost P12-billion,” said Gordon during a televised interview on Thursday.
“And up to now, they refuse to provide evidence that is why they're in contempt. They're delaying the course of the investigation of the Senate...they deserve no pity, no compassion because they have not been compassionate to our people as well,” furthered Gordon.
Gordon pointed out the weeks-long investigation of the Senate panel yielded information on how Ong and Dargani purchased ritzy sports cars after striking a deal with government for the pandemic response equipment.
Ong bought P27.9-million worth of high-end vehicles since 2019, while Dargani acquired P33.5-million worth of cars for himself and sister Twinkle.
The Dargani siblings were also captured by elements of the Senate Sergeant-at-Arms after attempting to escape the Philippines to Dubai through Davao City International Airport last November.
Gordon also pointed out that the panel showed enough compassion to the accused by granting them temporary release to be able to give the financial documents but refused to do so.
Ong had also been granted by the Senate temporary release to be able to attend to his sick daughter and avail of blood through the Philippine Red Cross, where Gordon serves as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.
Twinkle Dargani, who was originally placed under arrest inside the Senate, was also granted release for humanitarian reasons.
Moreover, parties close to the Darganis sent an emissary to Gordon, offering to fund his re-electionist campaign in exchange for their release.
“That's never going to get anywhere with me,” Gordon said.