Pharmally exec: All our business dealings are aboveboard

Huang Tzu Yen Chairman Pharmally Pharmaceuticals Corp.

MANILA, Philippines — Pharmally Pharmaceuticals Corporation (PPC) has denied the allegations made by some senators that its transactions with the government for the supply of personal protective equipment (PPE) were tainted with corruption.

In a statement, PPC chairman Huang Tzu Yen said they were not favored in any way in the government’s procurement of medical supplies in 2020.

“I would like to reiterate that PPC went through the proper process. I don’t believe we were favored in any way. In fact, PPC lost 12 times in the previous bids that it made. We just kept trying. We were only hoping to help and we saw it as an opportunity to hit two birds with one stone,” said Huang.

The Senate blue ribbon committee is currently investigating the procurement of allegedly overpriced PPEs bought by the Procurement Service of the Department of Budget and Management (PS-DBM) on behalf of the Department of Health in 2020.

Senators have questioned Pharmally, one of the suppliers, for bagging over P8.6 billion worth of contracts in 2020 despite being only several months old and having just P625,000 in paid-up capital.

However, Huang said all their business transactions are “aboveboard.”

“All our business dealings are aboveboard. It’s unfortunate that our start-up business had been unfairly prejudged in spite of the fact that we were the only company that was prepared to meet the requirements of the Philippine government in dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic. We can’t be judged under the lens of normalcy especially amid the emergency procurements that required huge volumes of products,” said Huang.

Nevertheless, he assured that they will cooperate with the investigation being made by the Senate on the procurement of the supplies.

According to Huang, PPC began to build a network with prominent manufacturers in China when the coronavirus started to spread in neighboring countries, anticipating that there would be a sudden demand for face masks and medical supplies in the Philippines.

“We heard from our friends from the Chinese community that PS-DBM was looking for masks. We submitted an unsolicited proposal with samples from our stocks,” he said.

“After checking the requirements, submitting the necessary certifications, and going through a bidding procedure, PS-DBM gave us the notice of award because PPC had submitted the lowest price for the items being procured. I have all the documents to prove that PPC went to through the process without any backer,” he added.

According to Huang, PPC only got paid when the supplies were already delivered.

“At the peak of the COVID-19 lockdowns last year, restrictions were heightened. All transportation was put to a halt. PPC had to charter logistics of supplies that added to the operational expenses,” said Huang.

“But still, PPC delivered all its commitment to the Philippine government even if we were in extraordinary times. PPC was only paid after we delivered the items. No down payment was released to us until we completed the delivery,” he noted.

/MUF