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Former budget exec summoned to Senate probe on health funds
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.
Lao, who headed the Procurement Service of the DBM (PS-DBM) at the time of the procurement, is being investigated for the allegedly overpriced purchase of face masks and face shields.
He stated that the bulk purchase of masks and shields, respectively costing P27.72 and P120 per piece, were the "cheapest" at that time.
Senator Richard Gordon stated that Lao is needed to explain the circumstances of the procurement, as there are many unanswered questions.
The probe was triggered by a 2020 Commission on Audit (COA) report that found billions in DOH COVID-19 response funds were either misused or unused.
Lao has confirmed he will be appearing before the Senate committee to shed light on the events.
DBM Undersecretary Tina Rose Marie L. Canada noted that Lao was previously investigated for the procurement of overpriced medical supplies and equipment.
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Senator "Bong" Go stated that he fully supports the Senate's investigation into the handling of COVID-19 response funds by the Department of Health (DOH) and the Department of Budget and Management (DBM).
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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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Senators grilled officials from the Department of Health (DOH) and the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) regarding the allegedly overpriced face masks and face shields procured in 2020.
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Senator "Bong" Go urged agencies to thoroughly explain their expenditures related to the government's COVID-19 response to prevent premature judgments.
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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.
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