BY ROLLY SALVADOR
MEMBERS of an anti-corruption group held a protest rally and vigil in front of the headquarters of Congressional candidate and Pharmally executive Rose Nono Lin in Barangay San Bartolome, Quezon City last Wednesday to denounce the death of a 60-year-old woman who reportedly waited in vain for payout promised by Lin.
The group, Koalisyong Novalenyo Kontra Korapsyon (KNKK), based in Novaliches, sought justice for Emelita Deguangco, who died last March 19 while allegedly waiting for money to be handed out by Lin. The group also condemned the linkages of Lin with embattled government supplier Pharmally Pharmaceutical.
They said that because she reportedly earned billions from the Pharmally deal with the government, Lin now can buy votes in Novaliches.
Sarah Villalino, convenor of KNKK and coordinator of 1SAMBAYAN-Novaliches, said: “Dahil sa bilyun-bilyong nakurakot ng Pharmally, nagagawa ni Rose Nono Lin ngayon na bumili ng boto at paasahin ang mga Novalenyo. Ang kapabayaan, ganid at korupsyon ni Rose Nono Lin ang nagdulot sa trahedyang eto kung saan ang senior citizen nating kababayan ay iniwan at pinabayaan lang mamatay sa ospital.”
Witnesses said that Deguangco waited for hours under the summer heat without water or enough chairs for residents who lined up for the promised payout. The bereaved family has refused to comment on the incident, fearing reprisal.
Lin is the wife of Pharmally Pharmaceutical financial manager Lin Wei Xiong and both are linked to the anomalous pandemic deals forged by the Department of Health. Several groups have also filed plunder cases against her and other Pharmally executives before the Office of the Ombudsman.
