Senate cites 2 Pharmally officials in contempt for skipping hearing

The Senate blue ribbon committee on Thursday cited two Pharmally Pharmaceutical Corporation officials in contempt for their non-appearance in the hearing into the government’s procurement of alleged overpriced COVID-19 equipment.

Senate blue ribbon chairman Richard Gordon directed the issuance of  contempt order for the firm's corporate secretary, Mohit Dargani and Twinkle Dargani, Pharmally's president.

"I don't want to issue contempt orders but we've been getting nothing but all kinds of excuses from these people," Gordon said.

"I don't care if you're millionaires, we can put you in contempt. Milyonaryo kayo? Walang exception dito 'yan," he added.

Towards the end of the hearing, Senator Francis Pangilinan noted that Dargani was online.

"Mr. Mojit is online. His name is part of the participants," Senator Francis Pangilinan said.

Dargani, finally showing up, said he was having internet problems.

The Senate panel also issued a subpoena for Krizle Grace Mago, the firm's official who bared the supposed tampering of face shields' expiry dates, to appear before the inquiry to answer questions on her alleged connection.

"She has to come because we have to make sure that she gets a side. Right now, we have found many documents connecting her," Gordon said.

Mago admitted before the Senate hearing that Pharmally employees changed the expiry dates of face shields for health workers, changing the year from 2020 to 2021, and that she believes that in doing so, the company is swindling the Philippine government.

Mago testified that she was tasked to do such action by her Pharmally boss, Mohit Dargani. Dargani denied the allegations.—LDF, GMA News