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Pharmally exec Ong on house arrest after testing positive for COVID-19 —Sotto


The arrest warrant against Pharmally Pharmaceutical Corporation official Linconn Ong was already served, according to Senate President Vicente Sotto III on Monday.

However, Ong was made to stay in his residence as he was tested positive for COVID-19, Sotto said.

"Warrant for Ong was served but he was kept in his house because he is positive for COVID-19," Sotto told reporters.

He said he has no information yet on the arrest warrant against former presidential adviser Michael Yang, but the latter's lawyer had said his client will be virtually attending Monday's continuation of the Senate inquiry into the procurement of "overpriced" COVID-19 supplies.

Yang and Ong were cited in contempt during last Friday's Senate inquiry due to their "evasive" responses to the senators' questions. The panel then moved for their arrests.

The inquiry was sought after state auditors flagged the Department of Health's transfer of P42 billion funds to the Procurement Service of the Department of Budget and Management for the purchase of face masks and face shields at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic last year.

Pharmally Pharmaceuticals Corporation, a small startup company, secured more than P8 billion worth of government contracts for the said procurement of personal protective equipment (PPEs), which were believed to be overpriced. —KBK, GMA News

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