Senator Christopher “Bong” Go (File photo)
MANILA – A former official of the Procurement Service of the Department of Budget and Management (PS-DBM) on Wednesday told lawmakers that Senator Christopher "Bong" Go has no involvement in the questionable purchase of Covid-19 supplies.
During a hearing of the House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability, former PS-DBM director and now Overall Deputy Ombudsman Warren Liong said Go had no any hand in the government's decision to award Pharmally Pharmaceutical Corp. contracts for the procurement of personal protective equipment (PPE) and testing kits worth PHP8.68 billion.
"Hindi po, Mr. Chairman, wala pong nag-utos (No, Mr. Chairman, no one ordered it)," Liong said in response to panel chair Michael Aglipay's question if it was Go who ordered awarding the contract to the embattled firm.
Liong also said he has no link with Go, adding that he never worked under the former Special Assistant to the President.
Senator Richard Gordon earlier claimed that at least three former PS-DBM officials linked with the transaction involving overpriced medical supplies worked under Go when he headed the Presidential Management Staff from June 2016 to October 2018.
"Hindi po (No), Mr. Chairman, in fact, I was never under him (Go)," Liong said.
Liong said he worked as a former legal consultant of President Rodrigo Duterte when he served as vice mayor in Davao City.
Last week, senators expressed concern why a bulk of government contracts for the purchase of Covid-19 medical supplies went to Pharmally, which existed only six months before the pandemic.
Pharmally was registered in September 2019 with the Securities and Exchange of Commission with a paid capital of PHP625,000. (PNA)
