Senate probers, unfazed by President Duterte’s “threats and tantrums,” are determined to pursue an ongoing inquiry into alleged anomalies attending the administration’s purchase of allegedly overpriced P42-billion anti-pandemic supplies from Pharmally Pharmaceutical Corp. linked to former presidential adviser Michael Yang.
Sen. Richard Gordon, chairman of the investigating Committee on Public Accountability (Blue Ribbon panel), on Friday affirmed the senators’ determination to unmask the parties that raked in public funds intended to address the deadly Covid contagion.
Gordon indicated that Senate probers are still pursuing efforts to verify the parties that benefited from the funds appropriated specifically for Covid victims, as part of the Committee’s mandate covering public accountability.
At the same time, opposition Sen. Risa Hontiveros also reminded that the Senate is not obligated to stop the probe “just because the President, who is not a king, is getting mad over the investigation.”
For his part, Sen. Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel pointed out that the senators are just doing their job, “no matter whatever the President may say.”
Apart from conveying presidential displeasure over some senators’ criticism against the current administration, Duterte barred Cabinet officials from appearing before the Senate.