Ikinalugod nina Senator Risa Hontiveros at dating Senator Richard Gordon ang naging hakbang ng Ombudsman sa rekomendasyon ng dating Senate Blue Ribbon Committee matapos ang pagdinig sa ‘Pharmally scandal.’
Gayunpaman, sinabi ni Hontiveros na umaasa siya na sa pag-iimbestiga ng Ombudsman ay makakasama ang utak sa naturang modus.
“My hope is that the investigation will also look into the masterminds behind this modus, well beyond the foot soldiers and mid-level officials. Although the Ombudsman order only covers the COVID-19 test kits, we look forward to an investigation of the PPEs and other overpriced procurements.”
Samantala, pinuri naman ni Gordon ang Ombudsman sa pagsuspindi sa 33 opisyal ng gobyerno, kabilang ang kanilang pangalawa sa pinakamataas na opisyal, si Overall Deputy Ombudsman Warren Rex Liong.
Si Gordon, ang noon ang namumuno sa Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, nang imbestigahan ang sinasabing “overpriced” COVID 19 essentials na binili ng Department of Budget Management sa Pharmally Pharma para sa Department of Health (DOH).
“The Blue Ribbon Committee held over eighteen (18) hearings. In those proceedings, we heard and addressed pleas of health care workers, and gave them a voice. We fought our best to expose and fight the plunder of our pandemic funds, in spite of the undue, interference of the executive,” ani Gordon.