Gordon releases Pharmally’s Ong to visit sick son
SENATE Blue Ribbon Committee chairman Richard Gordon has allowed Pharmally official Linconn Ong to visit his dengue-stricken son.
Gordon said, his decision is to show that the panel is not without compassion.
“For humanitarian reasons, but without wavering on or compromising our position regarding his contempt of the Senate, I, as chairman of the committee, will allow Mr. Ong fully escorted visits to his son in hospital for a limited time per day on dates to be set by the committee, the Senate Sergeant-at-Arms, and authorities of the Pasay City Jail. Each visit shall be jointly supervised by the said authorities,” Gordon said.
It can be recalled that Ong’s wife, Summer, wrote to the Gordon committee asking that Ong be released for humanitarian reasons as their son is confined at a hospital due to dengue infection.
Gordon said he wrote to the members of the committee and Senate President Vicente Sotto III seeking their inputs and advice on the matter.
“At the same time, I wrote to Mrs. Ong to commiserate with her at this difficult time. I also offered the assistance of the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) in the event that a blood transfusion is needed as part of the treatment of the child,” Gordon said.
On Wednesday, Feb. 17, Gordon said a motion for the release or house arrest was filed by Ong’s lawyer.
Gordon lamented that there has also been a massive social media campaign “to paint the committee and myself as its chairman as heartless and insensitive.”
“Let us be clear here: Linconn Ong is held in contempt of the Senate and continues to be detained because of his failure to purge himself of his defiant conduct,” he added.
“He has been evasive in answering questions, and he misled and lied to the committee regarding his participation in the biggest injustice to the Filipino people during the time of the pandemic when so many were, and still are, suffering,” the senator explained.
“To fully release Mr. Ong at this time, in spite of his lies and contumacy, is to render the Senate powerless to protect itself and the nation. If we are to abide by our sworn duty to protect and defend the Filipino people, there can be no room to be soft on crime and to succumb to political pressure,” he further stated.
