Who ordered delivery of 2 million face masks sans request, Hontiveros asks Pharmally execs

Senator Risa Hontiveros on Friday asked officials of Pharmally Pharmaceutical Corporation to identify the person who ordered the delivery of two million face masks to the Department of Budget and Management Procurement Service (DBM-PS) without an official request.

During the continuation of Senate blue ribbon hearing on the alleged irregular procurement of pandemic supplies, Hontiveros quizzed Pharmally incorporator Krizle Mago over a screenshot of her previous conversation with a former DBM-PS employee.

In the said conversation, Mago had asked the former DBM-PS employee if she was aware that Pharmally delivered two million pieces of masks to the agency.

The former PS-DBM responded to Mago’s message, asking her if that was an advanced delivery.

Mago confirmed that it was an advanced delivery. This prompted the former DBM-PS staff to ask who ordered its delivery.

“Ask ko muna sila boss haha di rin ako aware,” Mago’s text message read.

(I will ask my bosses. I am not aware too.)

Mago told Hontiveros that the “boss” that she was referring to was either Pharmally director Linconn Ong or the firm's corporate treasurer and secretary Mohit Dargani.

“Pricing is not part of my duties and responsibilities. I only rely to the instructions of our management. I directly talk to Mr. Mohit and sometimes Mr. Linconn Ong,” she said.

Dargani said he was not involved in this particular transaction and it was Ong who managed it as he was the one who had the direct contact with the supplier.

For his part, Ong said he was not the one who ordered the delivery but added he is checking his records.

“Ni wala pang napag-usapang presyo, most importantly, ni wala ang mga required documents. Super advanced delivery talaga ito,” Hontiveros pointed out.

(There is no negotiated price yet, most importantly, there are no required documents. This is a super advanced delivery.)

Based on the text messages, the senator noticed that Pharmally was apparently aware of the amount that they will receive for the face masks.

“Bakit kayo parang ‘di kayo nag-aalala? Base sa text message, mukhang alam niyo na ang ine-expect na presyo. Paano niyo alam kung magkano ang presyo na ibabayad sa inyo?” she asked.

(Why it seems like you are not worried about the price? Based on the text message, it appears that you already know the price. How did you know the price that they will pay you?)

“Sino ba ang mga kausap ng mga 'to na sure na sure sila na makukuha nila ang award? Sino ba itong sobrang malakas at mukhang dahil malakas sobrang pinagpapala,” she added.

(Who was the person that you are talking to because it seems like they are sure that they will get the award? Who are these persons who have influence and  are getting all the favor?)

According to Hontiveros the proper process for the emergency procurement of goods are the following:  issuance of request for proposals, opening of proposals, evaluation, negotiation (e.g. terms of delivery), issuance of resolution recommending the award, issuance of the Notice of Award, and then the purchase order.—LDF, GMA News