Solon claims Senate witness in procurement probe 'polluted'; Risa asks for respect

House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability chairperson Representative Michael Aglipay on Wednesday branded the witness who testified on the alleged substandard face shields before the Senate as a "polluted" one.

Senator Risa Hontiveros however asked for respect in the process being done by both chambers.

During the Ugnayan sa Batasan forum, Aglipay was asked why the said witness, a former warehouse staff of Pharmally Pharmaceutical Corp., was not summoned to appear before the House panel, which also conducted a probe into the purchase of COVID-19 items.

"Sa akin kasi, polluted witness 'yun eh sa tingin ko (For me, it's a polluted witness). Kasi anybody who cannot appear without a mask is a polluted witness. If you think what you're saying is true, you need to show yourself and you need to face the music," Aglipay said.

"If kailangan nandoon ka na naka-protective custody sa Senado, 'yun na lang kunin mo, at least protektado ka doon sa Senado. Hindi 'yung hindi ibibigay 'yung pangalan mo kasi how can you cross-examine? How can we invite him? Hindi nga namin alam kung sino siya," he added.

(If it is necessary that you'll be placed under the protective custody of the Senate, then avail of it. At least you will be protected while you are at the Senate. But don't hide by not giving your name. How can we cross-examine if we don't even know the name? How can we invite him? We don't know who he is.)

"Hindi namin to-tolerate 'yung walang pangalan, 'yung walang mukha," Aglipay said.

(We will not tolerate those without names and faces.)

The said witness disclosed that he and others were supposedly tasked to tamper with the certificates of the face shields, which was admitted by Pharmally official Krizle Mago. However, Mago recanted her testimony during a House inquiry on Monday.

According to Senator Risa Hontiveros, there were threats against the life of the said witness as men riding in a motorcycle were supposedly searching for him.

Both chambers of Congress have conducted separate investigations into the purchase of COVID-19 supplies at the onset of the pandemic last year as the purchases were flagged by the Commission on Audit in its 2020 report.

Eleksyon 2022

Citing "history" in political events, Aglipay said the Senate probe could be designed to bring down the "frontrunner" of the administration in Eleksyon 2022.

"100% I agree kasi designed 'yan para 'yung frontrunner ay hindi manalo. Or katulad noon, history is the best judge of what is happening today. It shows that noong 2010, si Senator Manny Villar, so pinasok na ng blue ribbon, imbestigahan 'yung alleged double insertion sa C5. Again sa 2016, frontrunner si VP Jojo Binay, inimbestigahan ng blue ribbon 'yung hacienda ng mga Binay sa Batangas," Aglipay said.

(It's designed so that the frontrunner of the administration will not win. It shows that in 2010, former Senator Manny Villar, the frontrunner, was investigated by the blue ribbon over the alleged double insertion in C5 while in 2016, frontrunner VP Jojo Binay was also probed over the family's hacienda in Batangas.)

"So ito na naman po, ang frontrunner nito, pamilyang Duterte. Kung sino man i-endorse nila, siyempre kung sino man endorse ni President Duterte, malaking baba po ng ratings dahil dito po sa ginawa ng blue ribbon. And siyempre, 'di ko dine-defend 'yung administrasyon. Sinasabi ko lang 'yung motibo," he added.

(In this case, the frontrunner is the Duterte family. Whoever they endorse, whoever President Duterte will endorse, the ratings will decrease because of what the blue ribbon is doing. I'm not defending the administration. I'm just saying the motive.)

Aglipay maintained that the probe in the committee he is leading was fair, balanced and legal.

"We will take everything legally. Hindi ho tayo magpapadala sa emotion. Sa kabila ho kasi medyo nagiging emotional silang lahat doon. Dito ho mahinahon, at iba-base natin sa law dahil lahat ho sa Constitution afforded the right to due process," he said.

(We're not letting our emotions meddle with the investigation. Those in the other chamber have gone emotional. Our probe will be based on the law because according to the Constitution, everyone is afforded the right to due process.)

Senators react

Asked for comment on the statement made by Aglipay, Senate President Vicente Sotto III said: "Ignore. I am too engrossed with other important matters to bother with comments."

Senator Risa Hontiveros said a resolution has long been filed to look into the utilization of COVID-19 funds and that it is not for election purposes.

"Kaunting galang at respeto sa mga institusyon at proseso, lalo sa usapin ng checks and balance. Ang mga institusyon ay kumakatawan at pinuprotektahan ang interes ng taumbayan," Hontiveros said.

(Have some respect in the institution and the process, especially about checks and balances. The institutions are representing and protecting the interest of the public.)

"Walang pinipiling panahon ang pagpapanagot lalo sa mga tiwali at kurakot higit lalo sa gitna ng pandemya at paghihirap. Matagal nang may nakahaing resolusyon para sa audit ng mga pondong ginasta sa COVID-19, lalo ang mga emergency procurement," she added.

(Holding corrupt people liable over their actions does not require a timeline, especially amid the pandemic and hardship [experienced]. A resolution has long been filed to investigate how COVID-19 funds were utilized, especially for emergency procurement.)

President Rodrigo Duterte has favored the House investigation over the inquiry being conducted by the Senate. —KG, GMA News