Gordon to Mago: Pinagdarasal ka na lang namin

Senator Richard Gordon on Tuesday berated Krizle Mago, the Pharmally Pharmaceutical Corporation executive who recanted her testimony about the supposed tampering of expiration dates of face shields and the firm's alleged swindling of the government.

Gordon chairs the Senate blue ribbon committee conducting investigation into the procurement of the COVID-19 supplies during the start of the pandemic last year.

The senator said they would just pray for Mago.

Gordon said Mago had deceived the Senate, saying the Pharmally official had told them that she would surface and that she thanked them for the chamber's concern for her safety.

"Pinalitan na niya, sinabi na niya... Mahirap nang bawiin 'yan, Ms. Mago. Pinagdarasal ka na lang namin, sana ligtas ka diyan sa mga bago mong kasama," Gordon said.

(She changed her remarks. It's difficult to withdraw that. We're just praying for you, we hope you are safe with your new companions.)

"Niloko mo pa kami na makikipagkita ka pa kunyari at pagkatapos sabi mo haharap ka, dahil you were safe, nagpapasalamat ka sa amin na nag-alala kami 'yun pala diyan ka rin pala babagsak sa kampon ng Pharmally at iba pang kampon," he added.

(You even deceived us that you would resurface because you were safe. You even thanked us as we are concerned for your safety. Instead, you decided to stay with Pharmally and their allies.)

Mago virtually attended the resumption of the Senate inquiry but she has not responded yet to Gordon's remarks.

She is presently under the protective custody of the House of Representatives.

After she made the controversial admission in the Senate blue ribbon committee, she became unreachable prompting the Senate to ask the National Bureau of Investigation's assistance to find her.

During the motu proprio investigation of the House committee on good government and public accountability on Monday, Mago said her previous remark that Pharmally had “swindled” the government when it tampered with the expiration dates of face shields was just a "pressured response."

Meanwhile, Senator Risa Hontiveros disclosed during the inquiry that the witness who gave testimony on the supposed “substandard” face shields were experiencing threats.

"Siya po ay natatakot para sa kanyang buhay dahil mayroon pong nakamotor na pinaghahanap siya. As far as I am concerned, the witness’ statement was corroborated by Krizle Mago before this chamber. But I would like these threats to be placed on the record po," Hontiveros said.

(The witness fears for his life because someone on board a motorcyle was looking for him.  As far as I am concerned, the witness’ statement was corroborated by Krizle Mago before this chamber. But I would like these threats to be placed on the record.)

Both the House and Senate have looked into the controversy but President Rodrigo Duterte has said he prefers the House probe over the Senate inquiry.—AOL/RSJ, GMA News