Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 8) — An investigation into the alleged overpricing of COVID-19 testing machines by a local supplier is now ongoing, President Rodrigo Duterte revealed in his latest report to Congress on his administration’s response to the COVID-19 crisis.
Duterte said authorities are looking into possible violations of the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act by Omnibus Bio-Medical Systems Incorporated and Sansure Biotech in relation to the allegedly overpriced automated nucleic acid extraction machines they supplied.
Duterte earlier told the National Bureau of Investigation to conduct a probe into the company after Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson said that an automated extraction machine from Sansure Biotech should only cost ₱1.75 million each, but the government purchased it at ₱4 million per unit.
Former Health Secretary and now Iloilo Representative Janette Garin had also accused a local supplier of jacking up prices of COVID-19 test kits and machines, padding them three times the cost of what manufacturers sell them for.
Duterte also mentioned in his report to Congress that investigations are also ongoing on the alleged refusal by 43 hospitals to admit patients, the death of police doctor Casey Gutierrez and the anomalous distribution of cash aid.
