UMATRAS na si Pharmally Pharmaceutical Corporation director Linconn Ong sa nauna nitong kahilingan para sa executive session o closed door meeting kaugnay sa government procurement ng COVID-19 medical supplies mula sa kanilang kumpanya.

Sa kanyang handwritten letter na ipinadala sa Senate blue ribbon committee, sinabi ni Ong na batay na rin sa payo ng kanyang abogado, hindi na siya sasalang sa executive session.

“I regret to inform you that, acting upon the advice of counsel, I’m declining your kind invitation for me to participate in the executive session regarding the matter under investigation,” saad nito.

Samantala, tiniyak ni Senate President Vicente ‘Tito’ Sotto III na hindi paaapekto ang Senado sa anomang pagbabanta sa kanila.

“Never threaten or call the Senate names! What do they expect by threatening the Senate? That we roll over and die? Will never happen,” sagot ni Sotto sa pahayag ni Atty. Ferdinand Topacio na nagsabing hindi maituturing na fair forum ang Senate Blue Ribbon Committee.

“This is a kangaroo forum. The Blue Ribbon, not all ha? Some members of the Blue Ribbon committee are not out to get the truth. They’re out for blood. Kaya naman unfair sa kliyente ko kung siya ang gagawing pawn, gagawing sacrificial lamb para makakuha ng dugo,” pahayag ni Topacio, legal counsel ni Ong.
(DANG SAMSON-GARCIA)