Duterte defends Duque on overpriced DOH procurement

President Rodrigo Duterte defended Health Secretary Francisco Duque III on Monday over allegations of overpriced procurement of personal protective equipment (PPE) by the Department of Health (DOH).

Duterte instructed Duque to prioritize acquiring necessary supplies regardless of cost, stating he would take full responsibility for any actions taken.

On Saturday, Senator Panfilo Lacson said Duterte had ordered officials to monitor DOH procurements due to overpricing concerns.

Lacson cited an earlier purchase where the DOH paid nearly double what private companies paid for similar PPE items and expressed disappointment in Duque's performance.