Senate probe remains strong even without Mago, Ong —Gordon

Senator Richard Gordon on Monday expressed confidence that the Senate blue ribbon committee's probe into the alleged overpriced COVID-19 supplies remains strong despite the absence of some resource persons.

In a press conference, Gordon said the committee no longer needs Pharmally Pharmaceutical Corporation officials Krizle Mago and Linconn Ong, and that they have already made their confessions.

“Andyan na lahat e [Everything is already there]. Kaya Linconn Ong, I don't need you. Mr. Ong, you're gonna need help,” he said.

“Ganito rin si Ms. Mago [The same with Ms. Mago]. We've all been kind to you. I hope you come to your senses if you're hiding. But if you're hiding from the bad guys, tell us because we will try to protect you,” he added.

Gordon said the investigation will now proceed to checking on the money trail of related transactions.

“I don't think we have a weak case, far from it. I think lahat ng actuations ng Presidente [all of the President's actuations] showed that we have a very strong case,” he added.

In a previous hearing, Mago said she tampered with the certificates of the "substandard" face shields upon orders of Pharmally corporate treasurer and secretary Mohit Dargani, who denied the accusation.

Mago also acknowledged that the company may have been swindling the government following the tampered certificates.

On Sunday, Gordon said Mago could not be contacted by the Senate.

On Monday, Ong backed out of the executive session or closed door meeting with senators in connection with the investigation.

In a handwritten letter addressed to the Senate blue ribbon committee, Ong said he declined to have an executive session upon the advice of his counsel, lawyer Ferdinand Topacio. — BM, GMA News