Manila Bulletin
Lacson sees 'large-scale corruption' in procurement of COVID-19 supplies
Senators Franklin Drilon and Panfilo Lacson are pushing for a deeper investigation into potential large-scale corruption related to contracts awarded by the Procurement Service-Department of Budget and Management (PS-DBM) during the pandemic.
Lacson stated that it is evident they are pursuing a case of large-scale corruption, exacerbated by individuals profiting amidst the health crisis.
The Senate hearing focused on former budget undersecretary Lloyd Christopher Lao, who approved over P8 billion in COVID-19 contracts for Pharmally Pharmaceutical Corporation, a company without prior experience in significant government procurement.
Drilon believes Lao is concealing information and providing untruthful responses, noting that the manner of Lao's appointment as undersecretary and subsequent presidential approval deviates from typical bureaucratic procedures.
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President Rodrigo Duterte criticized Senator Richard Gordon for a lengthy "talkathon" during a Senate probe investigating pandemic spending anomalies, suggesting such politicians should not be re-elected.
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The Senate Blue Ribbon Committee has summoned former Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Undersecretary Lloyd Christopher Lao to a hearing regarding the Department of Health's (DOH) utilization of COVID-19 funds.
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Senator Imee Marcos is pushing for the abolition of the Procurement Service of the Department of Budget and Management (PS-DBM) and the Philippine International Trading Corporation (PITC).
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