Pharmally’s Linconn Ong declines executive session with senators

MANILA, Philippines — Pharmally Pharmaceutical Corp. Director Linconn Ong declined to participate in a Senate executive session to divulge details on the transactions between his firm and the government.

In a handwritten letter received by the Senate blue ribbon committee on Monday, Ong said he was advised by his counsel not to take part in an executive session.

“I regret to inform you that, acting upon the advice of [my] counsel, I’m declining your kind invitation for me to participate in the executive session regarding the matter under investigation,” Ong’s letter read.

Senate President Vicente Sotto III earlier said Ong had agreed to share information with the Senate in exchange for protection.

But senators “will assess first the info he has offered” in a closed-door executive session, according to Sotto.

Ong, who is currently under the custody of the Senate after he was cited in contempt for evading questions, was supposed to be transferred to the Pasay City Jail last Friday.

His current location, however, has not been disclosed yet for safety reasons.

With Ong opting not to face senators in an executive session, Senate blue ribbon chairman Senator Richard Gordon said the committee will decide whether to push through with its earlier plan to transfer the Pharmally executive to jail.

“We will decide on that,” Gordon told reporters in an online interview.

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