Palace: Duterte has nothing to worry about in Pharmally issue

MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang believes President Rodrigo Duterte and his administration won’t be implicated in the issue of overpriced medical supplies from Pharmally Pharmaceutical Corp.; therefore, the chief executive has nothing to worry about on the issue.

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque made the remark in response to Senator Risa Hontiveros’ comment that the President is shifting towards a “damage control stance” when he warned Pharmally officials to settle their unpaid taxes.

The senator said the President is already “feeling the heat” as the Senate continues its probe on questionable government spending during the pandemic, including its deals with Pharmally.

Roque dismissed these as only “politicking,” insisting that there has been no wrongdoing found within the Duterte administration.

“Usaping politika lang ‘yan galing sa isang reelectionist. Walang napatunayang overpriced, walang napatunayang paglabag sa kahit anong bidding rules,” he said in a Palace briefing.

(That is only politicking from a reelectionist. There has been no overpricing or violation of bidding rules found.)

“So walang dapat ikabahala ang Presidente tungkol sa Pharmally,” he added.

(So the President has nothing to worry about in the Pharmally issue.)

Duterte, who has been criticizing the Senate’s probe on the overpricing issue, earlier warned Pharmally officials to pay their taxes or face imprisonment for tax evasion.

Pharmally is under scrutiny at the Senate for bagging government deals worth billions of pesos, despite having only P625,000 in paid-up capital, to supply medical supplies amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

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