Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, September 2) — A lawmaker is pushing for an investigation into allegations that the Aquino government bought personal protective equipment that were pricier than the ones procured by the current administration.
Iloilo Rep. Janette Garin made the request to Health Secretary Francisco Duque III on Thursday during the House Committee on Appropriations hearing on the Department of Health’s proposed budget for 2022.
Garin asked Duque to “quickly initiate” an investigation into the claim of Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque on Wednesday that the Duterte administration’s purchase of PPE sets should not be considered overpriced at ₱1,700 because his predecessor bought such items for ₱3,500 to ₱3,800 when there was no global health crisis yet.
“Can Secretary Duque quickly initiate an investigation into the allegation and look into the following: proper po ba ang procurement process na nangyari? Sino-sino ang involved sa procurement process? Was this flagged by the COA? Meron bang overpricing? Is the supplier a legitimate company? And lastly, are these PPEs — can you compare these apples to apples — with the current PPEs that the PS-DBM is procuring?” she said at the hearing.
[Translation: Can Secretary Duque quickly initiate an investigation into the allegation and look into the following: Was the procurement process properly done? Who was involved in the procurement process? Was this flagged by the COA? Was there overpricing? Is the supplier a legitimate company? And lastly, are these PPEs — can you compare these apples to apples — with the current PPEs that the PS-DBM is procuring?]
However, Garin, who served as Health secretary from 2014 to 2016, said she does not remember being involved in the procurement.
Duque committed to investigating the matter.
“We will have this looked into and ferret out the truth as is necessary to resolve this issue,” he said.
A former undersecretary in charge of the procurement service of the Budget department was grilled by senators last week regarding his previous decision to award a multi-billion peso contract to a company with “questionable” qualifications.
