“THERE IS ENOUGH evidence to file charges against former President Rodrigo Duterte but the Senate did not vote for it. They abstained.”
Thus revealed by former Senator Richard Dick Gordon in an interview with ANC.
Gordon said the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee during his chairmanship investigated thoroughly the anomalies hounding the multibillion-peso pandemic contracts of Duterte Government.
“I have the complete documentary evidence and it is very logical. All documents obtained are under oath. This is actually the corruption of the century and it happened when people are dying at that time, when people are sick–and they had the temerity to steal money at that time in favor of these (Chinese) foreigners. Where is justice?” Gordon said.
Gordon took a swipe at his former colleagues for refusing to sign his draft panel report then that directly involved former President Duterte and his government, during those times.
“Pinapak ang pera ng mga Pilipino. Ninakawan ang taumbayan. And who perpetrated it? It is President (Rodrigo Duterte) who ordered the killing of so many people. He is an embarassment to the country. The cycle of corruption and untouchability. Why can’t we not persecute these people? Suppose ikaw ang namatayan because of this corruption. Sasama ang loob mo and there were so many dramatic stories that time. And ngayon sinasabi na ni Duque na si Duterte nga ang nag utos na matagal ng nakalagay sa report ng blue ribbon,” Gordon explained saying he already prepared these papers for the Ombudsman to read and just waiting also for the Ombudsman to complete his investigation, “because it is very clear that all the connections are there and all the documentary evidence are there which was obtained under oath.”
According to the former senator from Olongapo, this matter should be resolved to show to the Filipino people that “no one will be spared” and not even a former president like Duterte whom he described as an alleged agent of China.
“Sabi nga ni dating Justice Carpio, Duterte is an agent of China. He defended Michael Yang and all his cohorts and even appointed him as his economic adviser. When the Commission on Audit spilled the truth, former President Duterte hit COA. When I made my investigation against Pharmally, he attacked me. He attacked us. And considering that 11 digit figure lost to corruption in favor of these foreigners. ” Gordon said.
He also shrugged off the revelation now of former Health Sec. Francisco Duque III saying that the former Health Secretary should have refused Duterte in making such move.
“Sec. Duque could have resigned in his post if he is not really into it. Duterte made an illegal order. Bilyon ang nawala at puro napunta sa Chinese corporation. Hindi nga sa Filipino corporation man lamang. In reality. There is an avalanche of evidence” Gordon insisted as he pointed out that there was a complete conspiracy of corruption involving the former president and these alleged Chinese groups who were very close to the Dutertes.
For Gordon, former President Duterte must be held answerable in connection with the deals cornered allegedly by the notorious Pharmally Pharmaceutical Corporation during the coronavirus pandemic.
In his 113-page draft report, Gordon’s committee recommended then the filing of cases against Duterte himself once his term ends for failing to go after his appointees and businessmen responsible for the irregularities uncovered in the Pharmally deals.
The report also recommended the filing of cases, including graft and plunder, against Duterte’s former economic adviser Pharmally financier Michael Yang, former budget undersecretary Lloyd Christopher Lao, Health Secretary Duque III, and several other Pharmally executives and government officials.
Based on reports, only nine senators have so far signed the report which include Sens. Leila de Lima, Risa Hontiveros, Panfilo Lacson, Manny Pacquaio, Francis Kiko Pangilinan, Aquilino Koko PImentel, Franklin Drilon and Sen. Ralph Recto.
But Gordon that time needed at least 11 senators in order for him to formally sponsor it at the plenary where the rest of the chamber may debate on finding, vote to adopt or to reject the report but failed to get the support during those times.
Those who did not affix their signatures during the 18th Congress that include: Sen. Grace Poe, Edgardo Sonny Angara, Cynthia Villar, Sherwin Gatchalian, Lito Lapid, Pia Cayetano, Ramon Bong Revilla, Imee Marcos, Francis Tolentino and Sen. Miguel Migz Zubiri.
Gordon said his blue ribbon committee’s investigation did not go to waste because he was able to unmask the anomalies and was able to put in his committee reports what was uncovered then which the Ombudsman and other government agencies can use to pursue the case against Duterte and his alleged cohorts.
Gordon’s Senate blue ribbon committee hearings uncovered that Pharmally cornered P10 billion in pandemic deals between 2020 and 2021 even if it was a small, newly created firm that lacked the funds, track record, and credibility to handle big-ticket government procurement.
“Wala nga silang maipakitang Letter of Credit kung saan kinuha ang pera. Yet pinayagan ito ni dating pangulong Duterte. Siya talaga ang pasimuno nito,” Gordon said.
Based on reports, Pharmally’s financial records pointed to P6.3 billion in tax deficiencies owed to the Philippine government.
Senator Risa Hontiveros said she was not surprised at all when former Sec. Duque pointed to Duterte as the one who asked him to transfer the said amount.
“Hindi na po ako nagtataka at hiling ko na lang at inaasahan ay sana umikot na ang hustisya lalot ginawa ito sa panahon na talagang sobrang hirap at namimiligro ang buhay ng maraming Pilipino. Let Justice roll,” Hontiveros said.