Medical equipment supplier Pharmally Pharmaceuticals Corporation has found itself the subject of a Senate investigation for overpriced contracts it allegedly entered with the government. The accusation alone was enough to make public opinion simmer, at a time when the ongoing pandemic continues to take a financial toll on most of the population.
A nation struggling with the pandemic isn't going to take too kindly to more scandals
But a recent revelation could very well bring the pot to a full-on boil, as the legislative probe uncovered details of more perks that the company’s bosses supposedly enjoyed, in the form of luxury cars. A private company rewarding key personnel with a nice set of wheels might be par for the course, but if it involves taxpayer money by way of a government contract, it’s bound to put more than a few eyebrows through the roof.
Here’s a look at some of the models that have been revealed so far.
2021 Lamborghini Urus
One of the cars bared by the Senate investigation was a 2021 Lamborghini Urus, allegedly owned by Pharmally President Twinkle Dargani. The model has been widely touted as the best-seller in the Italian automaker’s lineup, being the first in Lamborghini history to breach 15,000 units following its launch.
Lamborghini Urus
The sport exterior is complemented by a luxurious and state-of-the-art interior. Powering the Urus is a 4.0-liter turbocharged V8 capable of 650 horsepower and 850 Nm of torque, matched to an 8-speed automatic. The Urus is priced at Php 13 million.
2019 Porsche 911 Turbo S
Another model unearthed is a 2019 Porsche 911 Turbo S, reported as belonging to Dargani’s brother Mohit, who also acts as the company’s secretary and treasurer. The high-performance sports car comes from a line of one of the most successful competition models used in motorsport, with victories in the 24-hour races of Daytona and Le Mans.
A 3.8-liter flat-six engine lives under the hood, rated at 641 horsepower and 800 Nm of torque, working with a dual-clutch automatic gearbox. The 911 Turbo S has a claimed top speed of 330 kilometers per hour, and reportedly costs Php 8.5 million.
2021 Porsche Carerra 4S
Pharmally Director Linconn Ong is alleged to have more than one luxury car to his name, starting with the 2021 Porsche Carrera 4S. Descended from the same family as the 911 Turbo S, the Carrera 4S is a 2+2 seater rear-engined sports car with notable features such as retractable door handles and an auto-deploying rear spoiler.
Porsche Carerra 4S
The power unit is a 3.0-liter twin-turbo flat-six gasoline engine capable of 444 horsepower and 530 Nm of torque, working in concert with an 8-speed dual-clutch gearbox. An electronic rear differential lock and variable torque distribution are standard. The Carrera 4S carries a price of Php 13.5 million.
2019 Porsche Cayenne VR6
Another vehicle attributed to Ong is a 2019 Porsche Cayenne VR6, a luxury midsize SUV that shares its platform with the Volkswagen Touareg and the Audi Q7. The model is now on its third generation, having debuted at the 2019 Shanghai Auto Show.
A 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 powers the Cayenne VR6 with 340 horsepower and 450 Nm of torque. The SUV managed to score five stars under the European New Car Assessment Programme (NCAP) for crash safety, and has been priced at between Php 6.5 to Php 8.5 million.
2021 Lexus RC F
A third luxury model reputedly in Ong’s garage is a 2021 Lexus RC F, a high-performance version of the RC executive coupe. This car features aluminum components to keep weight and the center of gravity low, on account of its more spirited nature.
Lexus RC F
The RC F is powered by a 5.0-liter V8 engine that generates 472 horsepower and 527 Nm of torque, coupled with an 8-speed automatic transmission. The sticker price for the Lexus RC F has been pegged at Php 5.9 million.
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