Hontiveros: Pharmally witness fears for life

MANILA, Philippines — One witness in the Senate probe on the government’s procurement of allegedly overpriced pandemic supplies now fears for his life after learning that two motorcycle-riding men are supposedly looking for him, Senator Risa Hontiveros bared Tuesday.

Screenshots shared by Hontiveros show that a friend of the witness told the witness that two men riding a motorcycle are looking for him. The acquaintance said the motorcycle-riding men also offered to give P2,000 for the whereabouts of the witness.

“‘Yun ang napakita sa screenshots na noong isang gabi, may dalawang nakamotor na pinaghahanap siya at naga-alok ng P2,000 sa isang tao para ituro kung saan siya nakatira,” Hontiveros said.

“Kaya siya (witness) natatakot para sa kanyang buhay,” she added.

It was Hontiveros who earlier presented the witness who is a male worker who spoke about the delivery of the poor-quality pandemic safety gear with falsified production dates from Pharmally.

Pharmally regulatory affairs head Krizle Mago likewise confirmed the claim of the witness that they were ordered to replace the certificates of face shields dated 2020 with new certificates dated 2021.

Mago, however, recanted her statement during a House hearing on October 4.

“Siya ay natatakot para sa kanyang buhay dahil mayroong nakamotor na pinaghahanap siya and as far as I am concerned, the witness’ statement was corroborated by Ms Mago’s own unrehearsed statement before this chamber,” Hontiveros said.

Hontiveros also responded to questions of some lawmakers in the House of Representatives that she should have presented her witness in the Senate.

“I’m aware that the other House has raised questions about my witness not presenting before us. Una, I would like to repeat in our hearing that he executed an affidavit under oath and we submitted this to the good chairman,” Hontiveros said.

RELATED STORY:

Pharmally supplying ‘substandard’ face shields to gov’t, staff tells Senate

JPV