SENATOR Richard J. Gordon, Sr. has denied the renewed appeal for release by two detained officials of a controversial company that allegedly sold overpriced medical supplies to the government.
“They have no one but themselves to blame for their continuing detention in the same manner that only their action, their compliance with just directives can pave the way for their release,” Mr. Gordon said in a statement on Thursday
The senator explained the clear violations made by Pharmally Pharmaceutical Corp. Director Linconn Ong and Corporate Secretary Mohit Dargani that serve as grounds for their detention.
“Only clear violators of the rules are subject to contempt: lying before the Committee, refusing to answer a valid question asked of the witnesses, and refusal to bring to the Committee documents required to be submitted, among others,” he said, adding that the Blue Ribbon Committee, which he chairs, only “sparingly and rarely” uses its powers to declare others in contempt.
During a hearing last year, the two officials were given the opportunity by the Senate body to locate and submit documents regarding Pharmally’s dealings with the budget department’s procurement service. However, on the set date of submission, they took back their claims by saying the documents did not exist.
In a written letter to Senate President Vicente C. Sotto III, Mr. Ong and Mr. Dargani noted their suffering in Pasay City jail as they pleaded for release. They accused Mr. Gordon of using their detention to further his “political ambitions.”
“There is no bigger lie,” the senator, who is running for reelection, said.
“On the contrary, I was aware from the start that the hearings on Pharmally could hit many personalities and thus could animate those adversely mentioned into campaigning against me.”
“And, that is exactly what happened. I have suffered from negative campaigning, especially in social media, where trolls were organized against my candidacy. Powerful men have publicly issued statements urging our constituents not to vote for me,” he added.
The two said that Mr. Gordon had stolen their lives by bending the truth in the Pharmally case. They noted their respect for Mr. Sotto’s “fair judgement” on the issue.
“I haven’t read the letter yet,” Mr. Sotto told reporters on Wednesday. “What I read was the report in the newspaper that they were suing me at the CHR (Commission on Human Rights) as the role of the SP (Senate President) is ministerial when a Committee has an approved motion.” — Alyssa Nicole O. Tan