Pharmally exec Ong backs out of executive session with senators

Pharmally Pharmaceutical Corp director Linconn Ong on Monday backed out of the executive session or closed door meeting with senators in connection with the government procurement of COVID-19 medical supplies from his company.

In a handwritten letter addressed to the Senate blue ribbon committee, Ong said he declined to have an executive session upon the advice of his counsel, lawyer Ferdinand Topacio.

“I regret to inform you that, acting upon the advice of counsel, I’m declining your kind invitation for me to participate in the executive session regarding the matter under investigation,” he said.

Topacio, in a message to reporters, said the Senate blue ribbon committee has not been a fair forum for his client, adding that they have been reconsidering their cooperation in the inquiry.

"This is a kangaroo forum. The Blue Ribbon, not all ha? Some members of the Blue Ribbon committee are not out to get the truth. They're out for blood. Kaya naman unfair sa kliyente ko kung siya ang gagawing pawn, gagawing sacrificial lamb para makakuha ng dugo (It's unfair for my client to be used as a pawn and a sacrificial lamb on this)," he said.

Ong had admitted that it was former presidential economic adviser Michael Yang who loaned Pharmally the money it needed to deliver billions worth of medical supplies to the government amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

He, however, refused to disclose to the Senate how much money Yang had lent to Pharmally prompting the senators on Friday to move for his transfer to either the Pasay City Jail or the New Bilibid Prison.

Ong turned emotional and insisted that he is cooperating in the investigation.

Minority Leader Franklin Drilon then asked Ong if he wanted to go into an executive session to disclose all of his knowledge related to the Pharmally’s transactions.

However, Ong said he is not aware of the implications of the the executive session.

Drilon likewise offered Ong the legislative witness protection program, depending on the testimonies that he will provide the committee.

The Blue Ribbon panel allowed Ong to consult his legal counsel before deciding if he would avail of the executive session or not.

Earlier in the day, Senator Panfilo Lacson said Ong has agreed to an executive session.

In a message shared to reporters, Lacson said the plan to transfer Ong to the Pasay City Jail did not push through.

"Hindi itinuloy ang paglipat ni Ong sa Pasay City Jail. Humiling siya ng executive session para doon magsalita ng hindi niya masabi sa public hearing," he said.

(It didn't push through because he is seeking an executive session so he could speak about the information that he could not disclose in a public hearing.)

"Nakiusap siyang kunin ang kanyang mga dokumento para accurate daw ang mga numero na sasabihin niya, like kung magkano ang in-advance na pera ni Michael Yang at kung magkano ang ibinalik niya sa bawat transaction ng Pharmally sa PS-DBM," he added.

(He requested that he would get the documents so that he may give accurate figures regarding, for example, how much money was advanced by Michael Yang and how much was returned in each transaction of Pharmally to PS-DBM.)—AOL, GMA News