Pharmally exec: Gov’t still owes firm P1.5-B over COVID supplies

MANILA, Philippines — Pharmally Pharmaceuticals Corp. still has around P1.5 billion worth of collectibles from the government over COVID-19 supplies, one of the firm’s officials said Tuesday.

During the inquiry of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, Pharmally corporate secretary and treasurer Mohit Dargani said the firm received purchase orders for COVID-19 supplies from the Department of Budget and Management-Procurement Service (PS-DBM) amounting to around P10 billion.

However, Dargani said the firm has yet to be paid fully for the purchases, saying that they have only received around P8.5 billion so far for the COVID-19 supplies, leaving a balance of P1.5 billion.

Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon then asked if Pharmally is willing to defer the payment of the unpaid balance until the resolution of the issues on the deal between the government and the firm.

“I can only speak for myself. I cannot speak on behalf of the company. This is something that the board needs to decide on,” Dargani said.

Asked if he would at least recommend suspending the collection of the unpaid balance, Dargani said: “I will have to defer this to the board. It is not my decision.”

“The recommendation should not come from me. The recommendation, if anything, should come from the chairman,” he added.

Nonetheless, Dargani expressed beliefs that “the goods have been delivered in good faith” so “we should be compensated for our deliveries.”

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