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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Pangilinan on Pharmally controversy: 'Justice will be served'

Pangilinan on Pharmally controversy: 'Justice will be served'

Published Feb 26, 2022 05:55 pm

Vice-presidential aspirant Senator Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan assured the public that if he is elected as vice president, he will ensure that justice will be served in the government's controversial deal with pharmaceutical firm Pharmally.

Vice-presidential candidate Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan (VPLR Media Bureau)

Pangilinan made the statement after the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee concluded its hearings on the government's deal with Pharmally to acquire coronavirus (COVID-19) equipment in 2019.

During the CNN Philippines Vice Presidential Event on Saturday, February 26, Pangilinan said that the act of defrauding the people of billions is not justifiable.

"We can assure the public, pag tayo ang binigyan ng pagkakataon (if we're given the chance to become vice president), we will ensure that justice will be served," he said.

"Hindi biro itong nangyari dito sa bilyong-bilyong halaga na binulsa habang namamatay ang ating mga kababayan (It's not a joke that billions of pesos were pocketed while our countrymen were dying)," he added.

According to the Senator, the Pharmally case should be scrutinized, especially since many of the witnesses are supposedly already in hiding.

"Ngayon pa lang nagtatago ang napakaraming mga testigo na dapat sana'y nagpapaliwanag, at pinoprotektahan pa at dinedepensahan (Right now, a lot of the witnesses who are supposed to be explaining are hiding and they are being protected)," he said.

"Kung wala silang kasalanan, bakit sila nagtatago (If they are not at fault, why are they hiding)?" he added.

To ensure that justice will be served, Pangilinan said he will push for more funds for the Judiciary Branch.

"Ang hirap sa ating sistema ng katarungan, mabagal. Kaya dapat mamodernisa ang ating justice system (The problem with our justice system is it's slow that's why we have to modernize it)," he said.

"Dagdagan ang pondo para mabilis ang paglilitis, mabilis mapaparusahan ang mga nagkasala, at mabilis din ang hustisya (We need to add funds so that trials will be faster, we can punish those responsible faster, and get justice faster)," he added.

Reports earlier this month said that the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee found President Duterte "betrayed public trust" in connection with actions related to the government's deal with Pharmally.

Related Tags

justice debate Kiko Pangilinan covid-19 CNN Philippines Francis Pangilinan Vice Presidential Debates Pharmally
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