Three senators on Wednesday rejected a plea by Pharmally Pharmaceutical Corporation director Linconn Ong seeking to be excused from further testifying on the ongoing Senate’s inquiry into the company’s huge contracts with the government.

Ong claimed the inquiry has resulted in him and his family getting death threats, among others.

Sen. Francis Pangilinan said dismissed Ong’s move as “theatrics” while Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson called it “not worth reacting to.”

Senate President Vicente Sotto III said Ong’s letter is not worth any attention.

“They’re saying we should stop already, but if we stopped two-three weeks ago, these issues of overpricing and expired testing kits, wouldn’t have come out. The people deserve the truth,” said Pangilinan. “Again, the issue is Pharmally. So let’s focus on that. ”

“You know, the issue is not the Senate. The issue is the billions stolen. Let’s focus on that,” he said.

In his “open letter to senators” circulated by his lawyer Ferdinand Topacio, Ong also claimed that his family was badly affected by the Senate hearings on the issue.

“Since the hearings began, I’ve received death threats which put not only me, but my family in danger too. I was told to point a finger at the President,” Ong said.

“My wife suffered through an ectopic pregnancy recently due to stress. So I’m really asking for your patience with me,” he added.

Pharmally is being probed by the Senate for bagging billions of pesos in contracts for medical equipment and for having a paid up capital of only P625,000.