Gordon lauds new development in Pharmally graft case

Former Sen. Richard Gordon welcomed the Ombudsman’s inclusion of Lin Weixiong among the persons indicted for graft and corruption in connection with the Pharmally procurement controversy.

“I wish to thank the Office of the Ombudsman for this development,” said Gordon, who pursued the issue as then chair of the Senate blue ribbon committee. “It affirms my belief that there is justice in the Philippines.”

Gordon also gave recognition to the entire team of the blue ribbon committee headed by Director General Rudy Quimbo.

Lao, Liong

The former senator led the investigation into the multibillion-peso government contracts awarded to Pharmally Pharmaceutical Corp. for pandemic response equipment and supplies during the Duterte administration.

It scrutinized the deals approved by former head of the Procurement Service-Department of Budget and Management Lloyd Christopher Lao and former procurement director and current Overall Deputy Ombudsman Warren Rex Liong.

Gordon questioned how the Duterte administration could give such big contracts to a company formed only in 2019, without any track record with the government and with a “puny paid-up capital” of P625,000.

As Pharmally finance manager, Lin evaded testifying before the Senate, he recalled.

“[Lin] went into hiding, while his wife, Rose Nono Lin, enjoyed the fruits of their plunder by living in Forbes Park as a neighbor of Michael Yang, and riding in luxury cars like the Dargani siblings,” Gordon added.

He was referring to Mohit and Twinkle Dargani who tried to leave the country at the height of the Senate inquiry but were apprehended at Davao International Airport.

Attempt from ‘higher-ups’

He said there were “higher ups in the Duterte administration who tried to protect [the summoned personalities] and prevent the Senate’s investigation.”

“How could Lin Weixiong amass all that wealth without the help of key people in the Duterte administration aside from Lao and Liong?” Gordon said. “There was definitely a conspiracy which leads to the highest levels of government.”

Because of the probe, he said, “we were harassed, insulted, persecuted and even threatened with death by some sectors, yet we chose to adhere to principles and the rule of law.”

Gordon said, “We will never back down from fighting corruption despite the risks to my life because ultimately it is the people who will suffer and have suffered.” —Contributed