Pharmally's Huang made initial inquiries on Dargani's flight to Malaysia

Pharmally Pharmaceutical Corporation chairman Huang Tzu Yen testified before a Senate panel on Tuesday that he made initial inquiries on a flight Pharmally Treasurer Mohit Dargani could take to Malaysia.

Dargani and his sister, Twinkle Dargani, were arrested at the Davao International Airport in Davao City where they were on board a chartered plane going to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Both siblings denied that they were trying to escape

During the continuation of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee's investigation on the government COVID-19 supply procurements, Gordon questioned Huang if he had a hand in booking a chartered flight for the Darganis.

Huang responded that he made initial inquiries but did not push through with funding the flights.

"As I have said, I had deep research initially for Mr. Mohit Daragni and I did not follow after. I was not the one who booked the flight, I did not pay for the flight and so I don't know," said Huang, who attended the probe through a video call.

Gordon then pressed Huang, asking him if he made an initial inquiry to help the Darganis.

"You may not have paid it but you made an initial inquiry. This is only logical because you are the president of Pharmally and Mr. Dargani is close to you and so he probably asked you to see to it where I can get a plane. So the document speaks for itself," said Gordon.

But Huang stressed that he had nothing to hide.

"I stated that in the previous hearing already. I don't know what it is to deny," he said.

Gordon said Huang should have questioned Dargani's attempt to leave the country especially when they are subject to an investigation.

"You know very well that you are under investigation. You knew that these people are under investigation with you. There is an ongoing hearing... He (Dargani) left the hearing and became invisible for three weeks," Gordon told Huang.

"Knowing that he asked you and you made initial inquiries. That makes you part of it," the senator added.

Huang defended himself, saying he did not know that Dargani was part of the passengers in the flight.

"He (Mohit) just said he wants to get his mom and sister out [of the country]," said Huang.

Subsequently, Gordon expressed dismay over Huang's responses, noting that the Pharmally official could have asked for more details about Dargani's plans with the flight.

"Did you not bother to find out? Hey, Mohit you are under investigation. It may be a small matter to you," he said.

The Senate panel's investigation covered the PS-DBM’s purchase of P8.6 billion worth of face masks, face shields, and PPEs from Pharmally Pharmaceutical Corporation, a firm that only had a P625,000 paid-up capital when it entered transactions with the government. — DVM, GMA News