Senators question P25B request for COVID-19 vaccines

Senators Francis Pangilinan and Panfilo Lacson are questioning the Department of Budget and Management's request for an additional P25 billion to purchase COVID-19 vaccines.

Pangilinan stated that with P82.5 billion already allocated for vaccine purchases, it is unclear why more funds are needed.

Lacson agreed that there is a lack of transparency in government spending related to the pandemic and suggested that basic math shows these funds should be sufficient to vaccinate 75 million Filipinos.

The senators called for an oversight hearing during the Senate's scheduled recess period.