Duterte defends high mask prices during pandemic

President Rodrigo Duterte defended the procurement of face masks and face shields during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, stating that prices "skyrocketed due to the scarcity of the supply and abrupt increase in demand."

He explained that the law of supply and demand dictated the prices at the time, with limited supply leading to higher costs.

This statement comes after senators, citing a Commission on Audit (COA) report, questioned the Department of Budget and Budget and Management-Procurement Service's (DBM-PS) purchases of face masks at PHP27.72 each and face shields at PHP120 each.

Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez had previously explained that the DBM-PS purchased these items at higher prices in March 2020 due to scarce supply and rising costs.

Senator Franklin Drilon noted that the cost of face masks should have been significantly lower, and also questioned the Department of Health's (DOH) transfer of PHP42 billion to the DBM-PS for these procurements.