Manila Bulletin
Drilon: Duque committed the ‘original sin’ in purchase of overpriced PPEs
Senator Franklin Drilon stated that Health Secretary Francisco Duque committed the "original sin" in the procurement of overpriced personal protective equipment (PPE) supplies in 2020.
Duque is accused of authorizing the transfer of P42 billion in health funds to the Department of Budget and Management's procurement service (DBM-PS), which was then headed by Christopher Lao.
This fund transfer enabled Lao to enter into a P8.7 billion contract with Pharmally Pharmaceutical Corp. without a memorandum of agreement (MOA).
Drilon asserted that Duque's action initiated the alleged grand corruption, as the fund transfer was crucial for the subsequent actions.
Lao admitted to not exercising due diligence when awarding the contract to Pharmally.
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Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque challenged Senator Franklin Drilon to explain the previous administration's purchase of PPEs at a higher cost than the current government's.
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Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon criticized presidential spokesperson Harry Roque for allegedly diverting public attention from the issue of overpriced pandemic supplies.
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Senator Richard Gordon accused President Rodrigo Duterte of attempting to cover up alleged overpricing in the government's procurement of personal protective equipment (PPEs) and other equipment amid the pandemic.
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Former DBM-PS head Christopher Lloyd Lao admitted to possible negligence in the procurement of overpriced face masks and face shields in 2020.
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The Department of Health (DOH) is under scrutiny for potentially making a double payment for face shields.
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