Duterte blasts delay in procurement of medical equipment

President Rodrigo Duterte delivered fiery speeches on Wednesday about the dismal state of health care services for soldiers and the delay in the purchase of medical equipment for military hospitals in the country.

Duterte recalled the time he went to the V. Luna General Hospital with top military officials where he saw the dismal state of healthcare services for government troops. With this, he immediately asked Budget Sec. Benjamin Diokno if there are funds to purchase better equipment.

When he followed it up with Health Secretary Paulyn Ubial, Duterte was told that the items were still not purchased.

He then explained that a temporary restraining order on the procurement process delayed the purchase and that the TRO was issued because a losing bidder filed a case.

“Kaya ako nagalit, sabi ko. Kaya sabi ko sa kanya, with due respect to the Justice, hindi naman lahat eh. Sinabi ko talaga, ‘Kayong mga huwes kayo, you are contributing to the corruption of this country,’” he said at 140th anniversary of the Philippine-Chinese Charitable Association Inc.

“Kasi ‘yung mga taong, p— ina niya, mag-file ng kaso ‘yan para lang mag-negotiate. Ang korte naman kasi, mag-TRO, ang project ma-delay,” he said.

He reminded the judiciary that the lives of the soldiers are on the line with the procurement of medical equipment, especially amid the conflict in Marawi City. 

“MRI, marami akong pulis na pati sundalo ko patay na, wala. Kaya sabi ko, ‘Secretary Ubial, buy it in 60 days. I will shorten it, buy it within 30 days,’” he said.

“Eh kung sabihin ng nung nanalo ‘yung, ‘Ito ang dapat natin kasi mas matibay,’ tapos i-entertain mo ‘yung nag-protesta kasi natalo. You are killing the soldiers actually. Eh mag-sepsis na ‘yan eh. Alam mo ‘yung mga doktor, ‘pag mag-sepsis na, it’s all in the blood, mamatay ang sundalo,” he added.

At the 120th founding anniversary of the Presidential Security Group, Duterte even suggested to make those causing delays in the procurement process face a firing squad. 

“Pumunta ako ng AFP. Nagtaka ako, walang MRI, walang—merong CT scan na luma… I gave 500—500 million rather that night. At saka lahat ng kampo, binista ko—generator, CT scan—ibinigay ko na agad, 30 million sa Cagayan—CT scan. Would you believe it hanggang ngayon hindi pa nabili?” he said.

“Kaya you prepare a backstop there. Linyahin natin ‘yan sila diyan, i-firing squad natin. P— ina,” he added. — BAP, GMA News