Senator Risa Hontiveros on Tuesday said former President Rodrigo Duterte should be investigated over the anomalous Pharmally transaction following the disclosures of former Health Secretary Francisco Duque III.
During the oversight hearing by the House appropriations committee, Duque admitted being ordered by Duterte to transfer P47.6 billion in COVID-19 funds from the Department of Health (DOH) to the Procurement Service of the Department of Budget and Management (PS-DBM).
“I am not surprised by former Secretary Duque’s revelation,” Hontiveros said.
Since Duque made the statement under oath, Hontiveros said the former President should be included in the investigation, especially since it can be proven that he was introduced in 2017 to Pharmally officials by his special adviser Michael Yang.
According to Hontiveros, Duterte should at the very least explain the policy considerations that resulted in his directive to Duque.
As the Ombudsman continues its Pharmally probe, the senator hopes it will take Duque’s revelation into account.
Hontiveros said she believes the wheels of justice will soon grind and all those liable in robbing the nation’s coffers during the COVID-19 pandemic will be held liable.
