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Drilon warns Pharmally external auditor she could lose license over ‘negligence’


Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon on Tuesday warned Pharmally Pharmaceutical Corporation’s external auditor that she could lose her license over “inexcusable negligence” in examining the firm’s financial statements.

During the continuation of the Senate blue ribbon panel’s probe into the government's contracts for allegedly overpriced pandemic supplies, Drilon asked Iluminada Sebial if the firm just “fed” her the financial statements.

She was likewise asked if the financial statements were just forwarded to her to affix her signature.

Sebial told the senator that she examined the financial statements, but she did not scrutinize the details of the audit.

“Tinignan ko pa rin iyon sir pero hindi yung detailed audit,” she said.

[I looked at them but not the detailed audit.]

Drilon asked Sebial anew about the P33 million in donations made by Pharmally to the government institutions.

He asked Sebial whether she saw the deed of donation or if she was just given with the list of beneficiaries.

“Nakita ko naman po ‘yun kasi kapag mag-o-audit pupunta naman din po sa office. Nong tinanong niyo ako non, listahan lang ang nasa akin pero pag mag-o-audit, pupunta na sa office,” Sebial said.

[I saw it because when I audit I go to the office. When you asked me about it I only had a list but when I audit I go to the office.]

At this point, Drilon noticed that Sebial had changed her statement from last week’s hearing.

During the last week’s hearing, Sebial said she could not disclose further information on the P33 million as the deed of donation and other documents were not yet submitted by Pharmally.

Drilon also grilled Sebial over the alleged P63 million in foreign exchange gains which were left unexplained as the auditor said she is not in possession of the supporting documents.

“You are changing your answer after being coached by somebody.  Last time, you said you did not see anything and you were just given a list. I am telling you, be careful because you’re under oath,” Drilon told Sebial.

“I have been a lawyer for almost 50 years. I can know when the witness is lying and I think you are lying.  But I will give you a chance. I will ask the committee to give you a chance. Tell us the truth because we have remedies under the law to make a person tell the truth,” he added.

Senator Richard Gordon also encouraged Sebial to tell the truth, saying Pharmally officials can just leave her in the end.

Eventually, Drilon told Sebial that he will recommend the revocation of her license should she fail to provide documents that will explain Pharmally’s transactions.

“I’m asking you now. Submit to the Senate the supporting documents which you should have examined and which you have in your possession, showing payment to the suppliers, would you do that in the next hearing? Because if you do not do that, Ms. Iluminada, I am telling you, I will recommend to the committee that we file a complaint against you in the Professional Regulatory Commission for inexcusable negligence in the performance of your duty,” he said.

“So I would strongly advise you that you submit all the documents that I am requesting,” he added.

Senators have been investigating the purchase of COVID-19 supplies made by DBM-PS last year, during which Pharmally Pharmaceutical Corporation bagged more than P8 billion in government contracts for the said procurement of personal protective equipment (PPEs), which were alleged to be overpriced. — BM, GMA News

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