Gordon defends Dargani, Ong detention: ‘They’ve no one but themselves to blame’

FILE PHOTO:  Senator Richard Gordon, chairman of the blue ribbon committee. INQUIRER/GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE

MANILA, Philippines —  Reelectionist Senator Richard Gordon on Thursday said Mohit Dargani and Linconn Ong, officials of  Pharmally Pharmaceutical Corp., have no one else to blame for their continued detention but themselves.

According to Gordon, Dargani and Ong’s “compliance with just directives” was the only way for them to be set free.

The veteran legislator reiterated that the reason they are still detained in the first place is that they lied about bringing and submitting the necessary documents to the Senate blue ribbon committee, thus, “the Blue Ribbon had no other just choice but to continue their detention.”

“They have no one but themselves to blame for their continuing detention in the same manner that only their action, their compliance with just directives can pave the way for their release,” Gordon added.

READ: Pharmally execs yet to locate firm’s financial records — Senate sergeant-at-arms

Gordon explained that the Senate uses “sparingly and rarely” its powers to declare those who appear before it in contempt as only violators of rules are declared as such. Rules violators include those who lie before the committee, witnesses who refuse to answer a valid question, and those who refuse to bring to the committee documents that were required for submission, among others.

The senator then called out Dargani and Ong’s accusation that they are still being detained for his political ambitions. Gordon was running for senator in the May 2022 polls.

“There is no bigger lie. On the contrary, I was aware from the start that the hearings on Pharmally could hit many personalities and thus could animate those adversely mentioned into campaigning against me. And, that is exactly what happened,” said Gordon.

He said he suffered from negative campaigning, with many organizing against his candidacy.

“If the price to be paid for doing my job excellently and passionately – all for the benefit of the people – was and is targeted negative campaigning, that I have paid and will always be willing to pay,” said Gordon.

Recently, Dargani and Ong appealed for their release to Senate President Vicente Sotto III. The two Pharmally officials were being detained at the Pasay City Jail.

The Senate blue ribbon committee led by Gordon has been investigating Pharmally for alleged irregularities in its dealings with the government, specifically on billions of pesos worth of COVID-19 response supplies.

READ: P8.7-B med supply deals went to tiny company

KGA