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Duterte defends Duque anew, tells senators to wait for official report amid overpricing claims
President Rodrigo Duterte defended Health Secretary Francisco Duque III anew amid allegations of overpriced procurement of COVID-19 testing equipment.
Duterte stated that he instructed Duque to procure necessary equipment quickly, regardless of cost, and takes full responsibility for the directive.
He also told senators to wait for the official report on the bidding process.
Duterte claimed that the bidders offering lower prices did not participate in the bidding.
Senator Panfilo Lacson had previously raised concerns about potential overpricing in the Department of Health's emergency purchases.
The Private Hospitals Association of the Philippines, Inc. had also called for Duque's replacement due to reimbursement issues with PhilHealth.
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President Duterte has ordered an investigation into the alleged overpriced medical equipment and test kits purchased by the government for its COVID-19 response.
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Senator Francis Pangilinan expressed doubt on the Duterte administration's ability to justify the alleged overpriced procurement of COVID-19 testing supplies and equipment.
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President Duterte ordered the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to investigate a local supplier, identified as the Co couple and their company Omnibus Bio-Medical Systems Inc., for allegedly overpricing medical equipment, specifically Covid-19 testing kits and machines.
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The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has started a probe into allegations of overpriced medical equipment purchased by the Department of Health (DOH) for COVID-19 testing.
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