Lacson seeks explanation how Pharmally bagged billions worth of gov't contracts

Senator Panfilo Lacson on Monday questioned how Pharmally Pharmaceutical Corporation secured nearly P12 billion in government contracts for COVID-19 medical supplies when it only had a paid-up capital of P650,000.

Lacson stressed that the amount was a huge chunk of the P42 billion that the Department of Health transferred to the Department of Budget and Management's Procurement Service (PS-DBM) for the purchase of medical items such as face masks and face shields during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic last year.

During the resumption of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee's inquiry into the "overpriced" medical items, Pharmally official Linconn Ong said the company could have gotten some P11 billion.

"Just make sure you base your figures on official records," cautioned Lacson, adding that seven contracts were awarded to Pharmally.

"If we add the computations of Senators Franklin Drilon and Richard Gordon, it could reach P12 billion."

Lacson then directed Ong and Pharmally President Huang Tzu Yen to submit the official records of the contracts bagged by the company to the committee.

The Senate Blue Ribbon Committee is currently looking into the purchase of at least P8.6 billion worth of face masks, face shields, and PPEs by the DBM-PS with Pharmally Pharmaceutical Corporation.

The Senate panel had also requested the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) to inspect Pharmally's bank records. — DVM, GMA News